Looking for today's Connections answer for Puzzle #473 Connections for September 26, the difficulty level for this puzzle from Connections Companion was 26 out of 5, down from yesterday's answer

We update our Connections clues and hints daily And if the hints aren't enough, you can see all four solutions along with the category title and related words In addition, for those of you reading this in a different time zone, I have included a reflection on yesterday's puzzle, #472

There are spoilers for Connections #473 Only those who want to know the answer to today's Connections should read on

Alternatively, see our NYT Connections How to Play Guide for tips on how to solve the puzzle without our help

While today's wordle solution guide recommends the best wordle starting words as a strategy, the Connections solution depends on identifying the categories that are connected from the 16 words The difficulty of each category is represented by a color, with yellow being the easiest grouping and purple the most difficult Hints are helpful as the answer is displayed after four wrong guesses

If you need a hint to help you solve the groupings, here are each theme in order of difficulty:

If you read these hints, you should at least find the answer to today's connection If not, please continue reading for larger hints Also, if you only want the answer, scroll down further

Here's a bigger hint: Before ordering your next drink at the bar, add some strings From there, add more edges

Now, what's the answer to today's game #473, Connections?

Drum roll please

I have to admit, I stared at this grid for a long time before I found the answer

I rarely use the shuffle function It helped me today

Shuffle dropped theory and beans next to each other That led me to (String) Theory and (String) bean Bikini was nearby, so he had to find cheese from there

At one point I had dry, neat, and virgin, but for some reason had never looked straight at it This time I found it and beat the blue

Then I stared again Today it didn't click [I tried several times to combine trim, fringe, wax, and ruffle, but finally admitted border, ruffle, fringe, and trim

That left the green growl, mount, swell, and wax I have hit on a definition here, forgetting that technically waxing means to grow or increase Hence, waxing moon

Some days the puzzle flows like the spices in Dune Today I was banging my head against the wall waiting for my brain to make the invisible connection

Are you reading this late in the day? According to the Connection Companion, the difficulty level was 3 out of 5

I struggled yesterday, but despite the same difficulty level, today was much easier

Starting with a hat trick, it quickly led to the other three-based sports achievements, Three Pete, Trifecta, and Triple Crown The three-peat is one of the more interesting of the five major sports, and there are few examples outside of ongoing travesties like Man City in the Premier League Yes, I am a fan of other Premier League teams

Sticking to sports, I have seen soapboxes and home runs next to each other I tried to incorporate roller derby and got a few strikes But then I got wise and chose Kentucky and demolition

Then I arrived at the green category of rollers, drop cloths, paint, and tape I enjoyed city-inspired foods like [London] broil, [Philly] cheesesteaks, [Brussels] sprouts, and [Buffalo] wings