NYT Connections, the popular crossword puzzle game, has once again intrigued and challenged avid players with its Saturday edition, game #489. As enthusiasts grapple with the clues and try to decode the intricate web of words, we bring you hints and answers to help navigate through this brain-teasing challenge.
1. “Aesop’s ending, often”: FABLESTHATTEACH. The clue here refers to Aesop’s Fables, a collection of moral stories from ancient Greece. Put together “fables” and “that teach” to get the answer, FABLESTHATTEACH.
2. “Kramer on ‘Seinfeld,’ e.g.”: LOUSE. In this clue, we need to think about some of the characteristics of the character Kramer from the iconic TV show Seinfeld. Kramer is known for his erratic behavior and sometimes being a nuisance. Therefore, “louse” is a fitting answer.
3. “Disembodied kind of ‘seer'”: ORACLEBONES. In this clue, we need to think about a kind of “seer” that is disembodied. The answer is ORACLEBONES, which refers to ancient Chinese bones or shells, often turtle shells, used for divination purposes.
4. “Pro-unity grp.”: OAU, Organization of African Unity. This answer refers to the former intergovernmental organization that existed from 1963 to 2002. It aimed to enhance cooperation and unity among African countries.
5. “___ Del Rey, singer with the 2014 hit ‘West Coast'”: LANA. Simply fill in the blank here with “Lana.” Lana Del Rey is an American singer-songwriter known for her captivating voice and ethereal songs.
6. “In geometry, a closed curve formed by a rotating line”: SPIRAL. This answer refers to the geometric shape known as a spiral, which is formed by a line rotating around a central point.
7. “Major foodie craving”: GOURMETDESIRES. Combine “gourmet” and “desires” to come up with the answer, GOURMETDESIRES. This term captures a strong desire for and appreciation of exquisite and high-quality food.
8. “Lorne ___, longtime ‘Saturday Night Live’ producer”: MICHAELS. The answer here is “Michaels.” Lorne Michaels is the renowned Canadian-American television producer behind the creation and success of the long-running sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live.
9. “Start of many mathematical comparisons”: GREATER. Here, the clue refers to mathematical comparisons. When comparing values, we often start with “greater” to establish which value is larger.
10. “What S.T.L. probably stands for, at least mostly”: STLOUIS. In this clue, we need to decipher the abbreviation “S.T.L.” It refers to St. Louis, a city in Missouri, USA. The clue playfully hints that the abbreviation “probably” stands for St. Louis “at least mostly.”
These hints and answers are here to assist you in unraveling the tangled web of NYT Connections, game #489. Test your skills, make use of these cues, and embrace the challenge of this intricate crossword puzzle. Enjoy the satisfaction that comes from successfully connecting the pieces!