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Show the word gridAll 16 words — you figure out the groups
Show the themesCategory names only, no words revealed
One word per groupTheme name + one word per category
Full solutionAll words and explanations
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Word grid
All 16 words, sorted alphabetically. Group them into four categories of four.
BUMPER-TO-BUMPER
BUTTERMILK
CINDERELLA
CLEARANCE
DAVID-AND-GOLIATH
FERRIS WHEEL
GO-AHEAD
GREEN LIGHT
MERRY-GO-ROUND
RAGS-TO-RICHES
ROLLER COASTER
RUMPELSTILTSKIN
TAILGATE
THUMBS-UP
TILT-A-WHIRL
UNDERDOG
Themes
The four category names, easiest to hardest. No words revealed yet.
AMUSEMENT PARK RIDESStraightforward
APPROVALModerate
TYPES OF COME-FROM-BEHIND STORIESTricky
BEGINNING WITH SYNONYMS FOR REAR ENDDevious
One word per group
Theme name plus one word from each category.
AMUSEMENT PARK RIDESStraightforward
THINGS YOU'D FIND AT A CARNIVAL OR THEME PARK TO SPIN, SOAR, OR DIP ON+ 3 more…
APPROVALModerate
WAYS TO SAY YOU'VE GOT THE OKAY TO PROCEED+ 3 more…
TYPES OF COME-FROM-BEHIND STORIESTricky
NARRATIVE ARCHETYPES WHERE THE UNDERDOG TRIUMPHS AGAINST THE ODDS+ 3 more…
BEGINNING WITH SYNONYMS FOR REAR ENDDevious
EACH WORD STARTS WITH A SLANG TERM FOR YOUR BACKSIDE+ 3 more…
Full solution
AMUSEMENT PARK RIDESStraightforward
FERRIS WHEEL,MERRY-GO-ROUND,ROLLER COASTER,TILT-A-WHIRL
Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, roller coaster, and tilt-a-whirl are all classic amusement park rides
APPROVALModerate
CLEARANCE,GO-AHEAD,GREEN LIGHT,THUMBS-UP
Clearance, go-ahead, green light, and thumbs-up all mean you have permission or approval to do something
TYPES OF COME-FROM-BEHIND STORIESTricky
CINDERELLA,DAVID-AND-GOLIATH,RAGS-TO-RICHES,UNDERDOG
Cinderella, David-and-Goliath, rags-to-riches, and underdog are all classic story types involving a comeback or triumph from a position of disadvantage
BEGINNING WITH SYNONYMS FOR REAR ENDDevious
BUMPER-TO-BUMPER,BUTTERMILK,RUMPELSTILTSKIN,TAILGATE
Bumper (BUMP), Butter (BUTT), Rumpel (RUMP), and Tail (TAIL) — each compound word or name begins with a synonym for rear end