NYT Connections Hint - January 31, 2026

Another puzzle! Yes—guess what time it is? Connections day again—and today's grid almost had me completely flummoxed! I took a look at today's selection and thought, "Surely this is trickier than usual," but after a bit of staring and muttering, I cracked it! Let's dive into some fun hints and word chats—because solving puzzles is always better together! 😊😀

Word Explanations

• DRESS

  • Dress is what you wear that day! Did you know the word "dress" as a verb originally meant to arrange or put straight (like dressing a salad)? As a noun, it can also mean an ocean wave—called a dress wave—because of its pattern. Crazy, huh? And shifting? In computer science, shift-dressing is a rotating clothing system used to save space. Mind-blown!

• WISHBONE

  • A wishbone is that forked bone from poultry we break for luck! Did you know the Romans believed it gave prophetic powers? In folklore, the person with the longer half gets their wish! Today, it's all about fun tradition—because sometimes even a bone has magic! Plus, y-shaped? Perfect clue!

• ROLLER

  • Artists use rollers to apply paint quickly! Did you know the paint roller was invented by someone frustrated with brushes taking too long? (Thanks, Norman!). On our puzzle today, the shift? Changing paint rolling motion could alter coverage—like shifting technique! Also, some people use them to apply textures to walls!

• BALL

  • Ball is a fancy party! Did you know "ballroom" comes from German? Also, think dancefloors—balls are formal, with etiquette and gowns. And shifting? Ball holders shift their positions to dance! Also, in physics, shifting refers to moving balls via energy impulses! That ball category just about sums up today! 😊

• SHOWER

  • Shower—gift-giving party type! Did you know the baby shower originated in the Netherlands? There's also a bridal shower tradition at weddings. And shifting? In Meteorology, shifting conditions can cause surprise showers! Plus, in hairstyling, shifting refers to altering dye techniques. So many shifts with just one word!

• STETHOSCOPE

  • Doctor's tool to listen to heart and lungs! Did you know it was invented by René Laënnec in 1816? He originally used a wooden tube until he put it all together as the flexible stethoscope. And the pattern is y-shaped! In radio, a stethoscope coil helps adjust reception—like shifting frequencies! So many cool applications!

• BRUSH

  • Brush—painting tool to spread color; also can mean grooming tool for hair or pet fur. Did you know ancient Egyptians invented hair combs? Shifting brushes can produce different textures or strokes—like how a painter shifts from broadside to detail work. And a brushfire shifts direction with wind! Super versatile!

• MIXER

  • Mixer is a social event where people connect! Did you know it's named after cocktail mixers—bringing different elements together? Like a kitchen whisking batter, tonight's mixer brings personalities together! Also, in audio, shift-mixing adjusts levels for stereo effect. And shift+mix is how we combine audio patches! So many fun connections!

• SLINGSHOT

  • Sling shot launches pellets using forked limbs. Did you know Native Americans invented it? Shifting technique? When you shift the pouch's angle, it changes trajectory—like adjusting aim mid-flight. Also known as a catapult in some forms! The y-frame gives it power. And remember playing slingshot as kids? So much history and physics in this simple tool!

• SPRAY CAN

  • Spray can is aerosol container for paint (or perfumery). Did you know it was invented by USDA chemist! The shift in spray patterns can adjust coverage from focused detail to wide gloss. And in paint design, spraying requires shifting surfaces properly for even finish. And oh, the prep work matters—you can't just spray willy-nilly! 😄

• RECEPTION

  • Reception follows ceremonies like weddings or graduations! Did you know 'reception' relates to the Latin 'recipere' (to receive)? That fits! And shift? In hospitality, guests sometimes shift seating arrangements. Also, in science, a reception stage follows synthesis in labs—after chemical separation! Makes sense why it's the post-ceremony event, right?

• COMPUTER KEY

  • Computer key refers to the 'shift' key! Did you know it capitalizes letters or activates secondary functions? And the word shift in keyboards? You must press it to change the input! So meta, right? Shifting through keyboard functions and understanding how the shift key affects everything—like altering uppercase/lowercase. Nerd fun! 😉

• FLUCTUATION

  • Fluctuation means unstable shift or variation over time. Did you know this word is used in economics for values, and in physics for signals? It's basically shifts up and down—like the stock market shifting numbers. And in nature, temperature fluctuates, too! This word shows that nothing stays constant—shift, shift!

• TUNING FORK

  • Tuning fork is that y-shaped metal tool that vibrates to produce pure tones! Did you know it makes a specific pitch when struck, used for tuning instruments? In shifting? Vibration shifts—tuning requires listening to pitch shifts. Also, audio equipment uses tuning forks to calibrate! Perfect for understanding sound waves and musical adjustments!

• WORK PERIOD

  • Work period—time at the office or job! Did you know the phrase came from medical residencies (often 24-hour shifts)? That makes sense! And shift? It can refer to work schedule—like night shifts. In manufacturing, shift refers to crew changes; in biology, shift work disrupts circadian rhythms. So many workplace meanings here!

• PALETTE KNIFE

  • Palette knife helps artists mix colors or spread paint thickly! Did you know it looks like a cheese knife? And shifting technique? You use the knife edge to move paint around in unique ways—like scraping textures! Also, painting with palette knives looks dramatic when you shift to thick application. So satisfying!

Theme Hints

1. KINDS OF PARTIES

   • Think about celebrations—some are casual hangouts, others are formal affairs. We attend these events for specific milestones!

2. WAYS TO APPLY PAINT

   • Think tools that spread color around. Each helps get paint from one place to another on a canvas or wall!

3. Y-SHAPED THINGS

   • Consider objects or tools with two prongs. Think of the letter 'Y' in design and function!

4. WHAT "SHIFT" MIGHT REFER TO

   • Think about the word "shift"—it can mean a key, physical movement, or a change in work hours. Consider various contexts where "","language":"en","sort":4,"wordList":["COMPUTER KEY","DRESS","FLUCTUATION","WORK PERIOD"]}],

Answers Explanation

And there we have it—2026's January connections unspooled like a well-executed puzzle! 🎯 Today reminded me how