The New York Times Connections puzzle #577 (January 8, 2025) presents a challenging word association game. This article provides hints, clues, and the complete solution to help you conquer this brain teaser.

Puzzle Words: Pick, Memory, Limb, Biscuit, Trunk, Drumstick, Corn, Branch, Ear, Wing, Stained, Bow, Lincoln, Mallet, Tusk, Division.

General Hints:

• Food categories are not used.
• Tree parts or limb names are not a category.
• "Corn" and "Stained" belong to the same group.

Category Solutions:

Yellow (Easy): Section

• Hint: A part of a whole, a segment.
• Words: Branch, Division, Limb, Wing

Green (Medium): Accessories for Playing an Instrument

• Hint: Additional parts needed to play instruments.
• Words: Bow, Drumstick, Mallet, Pick

Blue (Hard): Distinctive Features of an Elephant

• Hint: Parts of a large, gray animal.
• Words: Ear, Memory, Trunk, Tusk

Purple (Tricky): Words Misspelled in Nu Metal Band Names

• Hint: Other words that fit this category: Vein, Kitty, Trapped.
• Words: Biscuit, Corn, Lincoln, Stained

Complete Solution:

• Yellow: Section: Branch, Division, Limb, Wing
• Green: Accessories for Playing an Instrument: Bow, Drumstick, Mallet, Pick
• Blue: Distinctive Features of an Elephant: Ear, Memory, Trunk, Tusk
• Purple: Words Misspelled in Nu Metal Band Names: Biscuit, Corn, Lincoln, Stained

Ready to test your skills? Play the New York Times Games Connections puzzle online!