NYT Connections Hints for September 20, 2026 — Puzzle #1197

Sixteen words, four hidden categories. Hints reveal structure, then the grouping.

Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1197 on September 20, 2026: how many groups there are, a masked theme for each group, then the four categories one at a time, then all sixteen words and the full grouping.

Puzzle date: September 20, 2026 (2026-09-20) · #1197 · Source: the game's public daily data (https://www.nytimes.com/svc/connections/v2/2026-09-20.json). Hints are derived from that day's verified answer data — no invented clues, difficulty scores or word claims.

1. The shape of the puzzle

There are 4 categories of 4 words each (16 words total).

2. The four themes, masked

Each theme below keeps its word shapes and the first letter of every word:

R _ _ _ _ F _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _
A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ W _ _ _ K _ _ _ _ _ _ _
V _ _ _ _ _ _ M _ _ _ _ _
B _ _ _ _ _ Y _ _ R _ _ _ O _

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

ROUND FLAT THINGS

Show theme 2

ASSOCIATED WITH KENTUCKY

Show theme 3

VAMPIRE MOVIES

Show theme 4

___BOARDS YOU RIDE ON

NYT Connections answer for September 20, 2026 — puzzle #1197

ROUND FLAT THINGS

TORTILLA, COASTER, BLU-RAY, SAND DOLLAR

ASSOCIATED WITH KENTUCKY

DERBY, FRIED CHICKEN, BLUEGRASS, BOURBON

VAMPIRE MOVIES

TWILIGHT, BLADE, NEAR DARK, SINNERS

___BOARDS YOU RIDE ON

SNOW, SKATE, HOVER, SURF

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