NYT Strands Hints and Answers for October 12, 2026 (#953)
Spoiler-safe hints for the NYT Strands puzzle of October 12, 2026: the theme clue first, then first letters, word lengths, the spangram, and the full grid.
Stuck on the Strands puzzle of October 12, 2026? Start with the theme, take one rung at a time, and stop as soon as the grid opens up. Nothing below is revealed until you tap it.
Hints for October 12, 2026, one rung at a time
ThemeToday’s theme
In a manner of speaking
The puzzle calls today’s theme “In a manner of speaking”. Read it loosely: the 5 answers are examples of it, not synonyms for it.
Hint 1A gentle clue
All 5 answers are examples of the theme, not synonyms for it — think of things you would actually meet, not words that mean the same. The spangram runs across the grid, left edge to right, so look for a long sideways path first.
Hint 2First letters
The theme words begin with D, J, L, P, V.
Hint 3Word lengths
By length, the answers run 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10. The shortest is 5 letters, the longest 10.
SpangramThe spangram
TURNOFPHRASE
12 letters, a single word, running from one edge of the grid to the opposite edge.
Starts with T, ends with E.
AnswersAll theme words
- LINGO5 letters
- JARGON6 letters
- DIALECT7 letters
- PARLANCE8 letters
- VERNACULAR10 letters
BoardThe completed grid
Theme wordSpangramEach line follows one word; the small number is that letter’s place in it.
Yesterday’s Strands
Yesterday’s Strands
#952 · “They don't make 'em like they used to”
Spangram: OLDFASHIONED
Read yesterday’s hints