Connections Answers
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
1
COOK WITH DRY HEAT
These are all verbs that describe different ways to cook food using only dry heat, without water or steam.
Individual words:
•BROWN: To cook food, like meat or onions, until the outside turns brown. This often makes it taste better and look nice.
•ROAST: To cook food, usually meat or vegetables, in an oven using dry heat. It gives a crispy outside and soft inside. Think 'Sunday roast'.
•SEAR: To cook the surface of food, often meat, very quickly with high heat. It makes a tasty, dark crust while keeping the inside juicy.
•TOAST: To cook bread, usually in a toaster, until it's crispy and slightly brown. We often eat toast for breakfast with butter or jam.
2
FAMILIAL NICKNAMES
These words are all short, informal nicknames that Americans use to affectionately call different family members, like cousins, grandmothers, fathers, and uncles.
Individual words:
•CUZ: Short for "cousin." This is your aunt or uncle's child. Americans often use "cuz" informally, even for close friends, to show a strong bond.
•GRAM: Short for "grandma" or "grandmother." This is your mother's or father's mother. It's a very common, informal, and loving way to call a grandmother.
•POP: Short for "father" or "dad." It can also mean "grandpa." It's an informal, affectionate name for an older male family member, especially a father or grandfather.
•UNC: Short for "uncle." This is your mother's or father's brother. It's an informal and friendly way that many Americans use to call their uncle.
3
U.S. STATE ABBREVIATIONS
These words are common short forms, or abbreviations, for different states in the United States.
Individual words:
•MASS: This is the short form for Massachusetts, a state located in the northeastern part of the U.S., famous for Boston and its history.
•MISS: This is the short form for Mississippi, a southern U.S. state known for its blues music and the Mississippi River.
•PENN: This is the short form for Pennsylvania, an eastern U.S. state. It's famous for Philadelphia, Hershey's chocolate, and American history.
•WASH: This is the short form for Washington, a state in the northwestern U.S. It's known for Seattle, coffee, and beautiful natural scenery.
4
PUNCH
These words are all verbs or nouns that informally mean 'to hit someone with a fist' or refer to a type of punch. They are related to fighting.
Individual words:
•BOX: As a verb, to 'box' means to fight using your fists, like in the sport of boxing. You use punches when you box.
•DUKE: 'Dukes' is old slang for 'fists.' To 'put up your dukes' means to prepare to fight or punch someone with your fists.
•SLUG: As a verb, to 'slug' someone means to hit them very hard, typically with a fist. A 'slug' can also be a powerful punch.
•SOCK: As a verb, to 'sock' someone means to hit them hard, usually with a fist. A 'sock' can also describe a strong, sudden punch.