Play Strands #953
The same letter grid NYT shows. Drag across touching letters, or tap them one by one and tap the last letter again to check. Theme words turn blue and the spangram turns yellow. Hint outlines one word you haven't found. Nothing is saved, so your real game stays untouched.
Strands #953 hints
Today's official theme is "In a manner of speaking". If that alone doesn't help, work down the hints below.
Hints used: 0
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What's the theme in plain words?Gentle hint
Look for words that describe the particular way a group of people, such as a region or a profession, talks.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 5 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
Think of a phrase for the distinctive style or form of expression someone uses, and remember it spans the whole board from one side to the other.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: D, J, L, P, V.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 12 letters and runs from left to right.
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Strands #953 in numbers
- Theme words
- 5
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 12 letters
- Longest theme word
- 10 letters
Strands #953 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for October 12, 2026.
Reveal one word at a time
Only want a foothold? Open one word, find it on the board, then go back and try for the rest. Shorter words come first because they give away the least.
Theme word 1 (5 letters)
LINGO. It starts in row 2, column 6, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (6 letters)
JARGON. It starts in row 5, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (7 letters)
DIALECT. It starts in row 2, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (8 letters)
PARLANCE. It starts in row 8, column 2, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (10 letters)
VERNACULAR. It starts in row 7, column 5, counting from the top left.
The spangram (12 letters)
TURNOFPHRASE. It starts in row 8, column 1, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: TURNOFPHRASE
Theme words: DIALECT, JARGON, LINGO, PARLANCE, VERNACULAR
The clue 'In a manner of speaking' points to different ways people speak, and each theme word names a style of speech: DIALECT, JARGON, LINGO, PARLANCE and VERNACULAR. The spangram TURNOFPHRASE is itself a term for a particular way of wording something, tying the whole set together.
What does PARLANCE mean?
A particular way of speaking or choice of words typical of a certain group, profession, or situation, as in legal parlance or common parlance. It fits the theme as one of the terms for a style of speech.}
What does VERNACULAR mean?
The everyday language spoken by ordinary people in a particular region or community, as opposed to formal, literary, or official language. It fits the puzzle as a term for a distinctive way of speaking.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 11 | #952 | They don't make 'em like they used to |
| Oct 10 | #951 | A slow drizzle |
| Oct 9 | #950 | That can't be right |
| Oct 8 | #949 | A star is born |
| Oct 7 | #948 | Color for the cure |
| Oct 6 | #947 | Changing course |
| Oct 5 | #946 | Oh well, too bad, such a shame |
About Strands
Strands is a daily New York Times word search with a theme. Every letter on the six-by-eight board belongs to an answer, and one answer, the spangram, names the theme and stretches between opposite sides of the board. Past puzzles are a good way to learn how the themed clues are usually worded.
Other puzzles on Oct 12
Strands #953 questions
What was the Strands spangram on October 12, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #953 was TURNOFPHRASE, for the theme "In a manner of speaking".
What were the Strands theme words on October 12, 2026?
DIALECT, JARGON, LINGO, PARLANCE, VERNACULAR, plus the spangram TURNOFPHRASE.
What did the Strands #953 clue mean?
The clue 'In a manner of speaking' points to different ways people speak, and each theme word names a style of speech: DIALECT, JARGON, LINGO, PARLANCE and VERNACULAR. The spangram TURNOFPHRASE is itself a term for a particular way of wording something, tying the whole set together.