Strands September 17, 2026: Answers, Spangram & Hints (#1117)
Recap
This puzzle provided a fun challenge with its comic relief theme and well-known comic strips.
The official theme clue
A little comic relief
Printed above the board in the app itself that day — the line that decided which of the many words hiding in the grid actually counted.
Strands hints, one rung at a time
Six rungs, softest first. The recap above already named the answers, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying the board fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.
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Hint 1: What the theme was getting at
A reading of the theme. No answers.
The theme seems to be related to humor and comics, possibly referencing well-known comic strips or characters.
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Hint 2: The category, said plainly
The same idea, unhedged.
Category related to comic strips or humorous content
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Hint 3: Board facts: how many words, how long
Counted off the grid.
The board was 6 letters wide and 8 tall. 6 theme answers were hidden in it, plus the spangram, which ran top to bottom and was 13 letters long.
- Theme word 1
- 4 letters
- Theme word 2
- 5 letters
- Theme word 3
- 5 letters
- Theme word 4
- 7 letters
- Theme word 5
- 7 letters
- Theme word 6
- 7 letters
- Spangram
- 13 letters, top to bottom
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Hint 4: One clue per word, easiest first
Crossword-style.
Theme word 1 (4 letters)
Comic strip about a teenager's struggles and relationships
Theme word 2 (5 letters)
Popular comic strip character known for energy
Theme word 3 (5 letters)
Comic strip featuring humorous dogs
Theme word 4 (7 letters)
Classic comic strip about a housewife and her family
Theme word 5 (7 letters)
Comic strip focusing on a baby and toddler's life
Theme word 6 (7 letters)
Beloved comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz
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Hint 5: First two letters of every theme word
Enough to start tracing.
- Theme word 1
- ZI… (4 letters)
- Theme word 2
- ZI… (5 letters)
- Theme word 3
- MU… (5 letters)
- Theme word 4
- BL… (7 letters)
- Theme word 5
- PI… (7 letters)
- Theme word 6
- PE… (7 letters)
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Hint 6: What the spangram meant
The long one that tied the board together.
Section in a newspaper known for its lighthearted and amusing content
It touched both edges, running top to bottom across all 8 rows.
The starting letter board
The grid as printed, 6 across and 8 down. Read only — reveal an answer below and this board traces it.
Every Strands answer and the spangram
Every answer from that board, folded. Opening one traces its path above — the spangram in gold.
Theme word 1 · 7 letters
BLONDIE
BLONDIE is a classic comic strip that fits the theme as it is a well-known humorous comic strip
Theme word 2 · 5 letters
MUTTS
MUTTS fits the theme as it is a popular comic strip featuring humorous dogs
Theme word 3 · 7 letters
PEANUTS
PEANUTS is a beloved comic strip that fits the theme due to its iconic characters and humor
Theme word 4 · 7 letters
PICKLES
PICKLES fits the theme as it is a comic strip that brings comic relief through its portrayal of a baby and toddler
Theme word 5 · 5 letters
ZIPPY
ZIPPY fits the theme as it is a character from a comic strip known for its energy and humor
Theme word 6 · 4 letters
ZITS
ZITS fits the theme as it is a comic strip that provides humor through its depiction of a teenager's life
Spangram · 13 letters, top to bottom
THEFUNNYPAGES
THEFUNNYPAGES fits the theme as it refers to the section in a newspaper where one can find comic strips and humorous content
This puzzle by the numbers
- Puzzle
- (#1117) · Thursday, September 17, 2026
- Theme answers
- 6 plus the spangram
- Board
- 6 × 8 letters
- Answer lengths
- 4–7 letters
- Spangram
- 13 letters, top to bottom
- Difficulty
- medium for a weekday board
- Valid non-theme words
- 819 accepted for hints
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