NYT Connections Hints for October 19, 2026 — Puzzle #1226

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

Hints and answers for NYT Connections #1226 on October 19, 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: October 19, 2026 (2026-10-19) · #1226 · Source: the game's public daily data (https://www.nytimes.com/svc/connections/v2/2026-10-19.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:

S _ _ _ _ _
A _ _ T _ _ _
M _ T _ _ _ _ _ A _ M _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
E _ _ _ _ _ I _ B _ _ _ _

3. Reveal a theme, one at a time

Show theme 1

SEETHE

Show theme 2

ALL TALK

Show theme 3

"MC" THINGS AT MCDONALD'S

Show theme 4

ENDING IN BIRDS

NYT Connections answer for October 19, 2026 — puzzle #1226

SEETHE

RAVE, STEAM, FUME, BOIL

ALL TALK

HOT AIR, WIND, GAS, BLATHER

"MC" THINGS AT MCDONALD'S

MUFFIN, FLURRY, RIB, NUGGETS

ENDING IN BIRDS

MOHAWK, BALLOON, ALIBIS, ESCROW

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