Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsSpoiler warning: The hints below begin gently, but the category reveals and complete answers follow. The July 23, 2024 edition of Connections was puzzle #408.
If you are still solving, start with the four hints and stop before the answer section. This grid is built around misleading overlaps involving QUACK, TWEET, PORK, and HOT DOG.
Hints for Connections #408
Here are the clues in increasing order of difficulty. None of the category names is revealed yet.
- Yellow hint: Think of someone pretending to be something they are not.
- Green hint: Look for words that can mean a spoken sound or expression.
- Blue hint: These describe people who enjoy drawing attention to themselves.
- Purple hint: Each word points toward a familiar Looney Tunes character after the character’s name is completed.
One-word reveals
The four category ideas are:
- IMPOSTOR
- UTTERANCE
- ONE WHO LIKES SHOWING OFF
- LOONEY TUNES CHARACTERS MINUS A LETTER
Complete answers for July 23, 2024
| Group | Words | Why they fit |
|---|---|---|
| IMPOSTOR | CHARLATAN, FRAUD, QUACK, SHAM | Each can describe a fake, fraud, pretender, or person falsely claiming expertise. |
| UTTERANCE | NOISE, PEEP, SOUND, WORD | Each can refer to something spoken, vocalized, or expressed. A “peep” can be a small sound or utterance, while a “word” can mean a spoken statement. |
| ONE WHO LIKES SHOWING OFF | HAM, HOT DOG, PEACOCK, SHOWBOAT | All four can describe someone who performs or behaves conspicuously to attract attention. |
| LOONEY TUNES CHARACTERS MINUS A LETTER | BUG, PORK, SPEED, TWEET | These point to Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Speedy Gonzales, and Tweety or Tweety Bird when the familiar character names are completed. |
The full 16-word grid
The words in puzzle #408 were:
HOT DOG · WORD · BUG · TWEET · PEEP · PORK · PEACOCK · QUACK · HAM · SHAM · SPEED · SOUND · FRAUD · NOISE · SHOWBOAT · CHARLATAN
#1 Best Overall
Why the trickiest words belong where they do
TWEET belongs with the Looney Tunes characters
TWEET may initially look like an utterance or sound, especially because NOISE, PEEP, SOUND, and WORD form a plausible group. In the purple category, however, it points to Tweety or Tweety Bird.
PORK is for Porky Pig, not the show-off group
PORK can seem tempting beside HAM and HOT DOG, particularly because all three are associated with food. It is reserved for the Looney Tunes group through Porky Pig.
HOT DOG is not being used as food
In this puzzle, HOT DOG is a term for a show-off—someone who displays their skill or seeks attention. That meaning places it with HAM, PEACOCK, and SHOWBOAT.
QUACK is an impostor
QUACK can suggest the sound made by a duck, making it a possible distraction from the utterance group. As a noun, though, a quack is a fraudulent or unqualified practitioner, so it belongs with CHARLATAN, FRAUD, and SHAM.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Want more Connections puzzles?
For readers who prefer solving away from a screen, the NYT Connections puzzle book is a natural next step: it collects more puzzles in a physical format. It is best considered after finishing the day’s grid, since a book of additional puzzles will not help with the logic of #408 itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the answer to NYT Connections #408 on July 23, 2024?
The four groups were IMPOSTOR, UTTERANCE, ONE WHO LIKES SHOWING OFF, and LOONEY TUNES CHARACTERS MINUS A LETTER.
What were the yellow answers in Connections #408?
CHARLATAN, FRAUD, QUACK, and SHAM, all connected with an impostor or fraud.
Why is HOT DOG in the show-off category?
“Hot dog” can describe a person who shows off or attracts attention, rather than referring to the food.
Why is TWEET not in the utterance group?
TWEET points to Tweety or Tweety Bird, making it part of the Looney Tunes character group.
Best Value
The Bottom Line
The July 23, 2024 Connections puzzle—game #408—used four deliberately overlapping themes: impostors, utterances, show-offs, and abbreviated Looney Tunes character names. The biggest traps were QUACK, TWEET, PORK, and HOT DOG.
Quick Recap
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