No. 1076 · Hints & Analysis

Connections Hint — May 22, 2026

Start with the spoiler-free clues. Reveal the answers only when you've truly given up.

I.

Spoiler-Free Hints

Three levels — warmer as you read down
i Ultra safe

A direction for each group — no names given.

  • These words are about getting in touch again after a gap.
  • Think of shared habits and ways groups operate.
  • These places all feature something that moves items along.
  • Say each word aloud and think about what else you hear.
ii Warmer

What kind of thinking each group asks for.

  • This is about re-establishing contact or communication.
  • These relate to unwritten codes of a society or organization.
  • You might find these in airports, factories, and grocery stores.
  • Each phrase begins with a word that sounds like a well-known name.
iii Mild spoilers

Pointed nudges on the words built to fool you.

  • All are phrases meaning to contact someone again after a pause.
  • They are shared expectations or practices that most people follow.
  • All are locations where a moving belt helps transport things.
  • The first word of each phrase is a homophone of a common first name.
II.

Today's Traps

The words engineered to mislead

Every Connections board plants a few decoys. Here are today's, and why they pull you the wrong way.

EL NIÑO

It sounds like a weather phenomenon, but here it's the first part of a phrase that homophones with 'El' sounding like 'L' spelled out (Elle) — a name homophone.

CUSTOM

Could be mistaken for a place (like customs at the airport) related to conveyor belts, but actually belongs to the unwritten rules group.

CHECK IN

Might seem like something you do at an airport (baggage claim) or a store, but it's actually about reconnecting with someone.

III.

The Answers

Tap any group to reveal it
Answers are hidden — tap a group to peek, or reveal all at once.
REACH BACK OUT
CHECK IN · FOLLOW UP · TOUCH BASE · RECONNECT
Tap to reveal
THE WAY THINGS ARE DONE
CONVENTION · CUSTOM · SOCIAL NORM · UNWRITTEN RULE
Tap to reveal
PLACES WITH CONVEYOR BELTS
BAGGAGE CLAIM · CHECKOUT LANE · ASSEMBLY LINE · REVOLVING SUSHI BAR
Tap to reveal
STARTING WITH NAME HOMOPHONES
LOOSEY-GOOSEY · CARRY-ON · EL NIÑO · TAILOR-MADE
Tap to reveal
IV.

Category Breakdown

Why each group works — not just what it is
REACH BACK OUT

CHECK IN, FOLLOW UP, RECONNECT, and TOUCH BASE are all phrases for contacting someone again. This is a straightforward, easy-to-spot group.

THE WAY THINGS ARE DONE

CONVENTION, CUSTOM, SOCIAL NORM, and UNWRITTEN RULE all describe shared standards or practices in a group or society. The clues are fairly direct.

PLACES WITH CONVEYOR BELTS

ASSEMBLY LINE, BAGGAGE CLAIM, CHECKOUT LANE, and REVOLVING SUSHI BAR all feature conveyor belts for moving items. The challenge is seeing the common physical feature across different contexts.

STARTING WITH NAME HOMOPHONES

CARRY-ON starts with a homophone of 'Carrie,' EL NIÑO starts with a homophone of 'Elle' (L), LOOSEY-GOOSEY starts with a homophone of 'Lucy,' and TAILOR-MADE starts with a homophone of 'Taylor.' The trick is hearing the names hidden in the first syllables.

V.

Difficulty & Analysis

How tough today's board really plays
Overall
5.5/10
Most deceptive
EL NIÑO

a textbook decoy

Hardest group
Name Homophones

requires lateral thinking