EDNGU = NUDGE
FHETI = THIEF
LFNNEU = FUNNEL
OTPAOT = POTATO
CARTOON ANSWER:
WHEN IT CAME TO MAKING BALLOON ANIMALS, THIS GUY HAD AN – – –
DGE IF NEL OTA = INFLATED EGO
🎈 PUMPED UP
Today’s cartoon takes us to a park, where a couple of kids are watching some balloon artists show off their twisting talents. One of the men is clearly proud of his handiwork and doesn’t mind taking a jab at the competition while he’s at it. His fellow entertainer isn’t exactly amused by the remark, although the kids seem far more interested in the creations than the rivalry. When you’re this impressed with your own work, it’s easy for your opinion of yourself to get a little overblown.
🧩 CLUE WORD BREAKDOWN
EDNGU = NUDGE
Instantly visible.
Last used: 07/03/2024 as DNGEU
FHETI = THIEF
My pick for hardest. Correct vowel placement was crucial.
Last used: 09/05/2025 as EHIFT
LFNNEU = FUNNEL
The two N’s together made it a breeze.
Last used: 04/30/2024 as NLUFEN
OTPAOT = POTATO
Ripe for the picking.
Last used: 12/05/2023 as ATOPOT
🔎 Jumble Jeff’s Jems
➤ TWIST AND SHOUT
The balloon artist on the left has his hair pulled into a bun and sports a goatee. He wears a short-sleeved shirt that leaves part of his belly exposed, pants, and sneakers. Extra balloons hang from his back right pocket as he twists a long-necked giraffe for the young girl in front of him while taking a verbal jab at the competition.
➤ CLOWNING AROUND
The other balloon artist is dressed as a clown, complete with curly hair, a round nose, face makeup, a bow tie, suspenders, patched pants, and sandals. An outlined star decorates his left cheek, and extra balloons hang from his left pocket. He voices his displeasure at the remark while putting the finishing touches on a balloon dog for the boy in front of him.
➤ AROUND THE BEND
The scene is set in an open park bordered by trees. Small figures can be seen along a path in the distance, including one person with a dog and another appearing to walk with a young child. A clock tower stands to the left, with its hands appearing to show approximately two o’clock.
🧠 FINAL SOLVE
The final answer was an 11-letter anagram that solved into an 8 + 3 layout. It wasn’t a stretch to say that this one didn’t stay scrambled for long. With the cartoon giving us balloons and a little rivalry, I figured the solution would somehow tie the two ideas together. Once all the clue words were solved, INFLATE popped into view. With those letters crossed out, EGO came next, leaving the -ED suffix to bring it all home. If today’s puzzle slowed you down, our biggest nudge was the balloon artist showing just how highly he thought of his talents while throwing shade at his counterpart, giving us EGO, while all the balloons provided the perfect way to pump it up into an INFLATED EGO.
🎈 CLICK-TO-REVEAL FACTS*: ABOUT BALLOON TWISTING
➤ Who made the first rubber balloon?
SOURCE
➤ What were balloons made from before rubber?
SOURCE
➤ When did balloon twisting really take off?
SOURCE
*For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.
🎉 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS* – SEPTEMBER 2
➤ National Blueberry Popsicle Day — A day for enjoying the frozen blueberry-flavored treat that offers a cool way to hang on to a little bit of summer. SOURCE
➤ National V-J Day — September 2 commemorates the formal surrender of Japan aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay in 1945, officially bringing World War II to an end. SOURCE
*For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.
🛒 DAILY DROPS*
➤ The Cheesecake Factory’s New Menu — The Cheesecake Factory is expanding its menu with new brunch, appetizer, dinner, dessert, and drink choices. Among the additions are Chicken and Waffle Skewers, Double Smash Cheeseburger Bites, and the new Brownie Crunch Choc-a-lot Cheesecake, made with milk and white chocolate marbled cheesecake on a crunchy toffee brownie. SOURCE
➤ Dunkin’ Free Pumpkin Spice Latte — Dunkin’ has a free Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte promotion planned for September 8 with a qualifying purchase. The hot or iced drink combines pumpkin, vanilla, and warm spices and is topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and cinnamon sugar. SOURCE
➤ Lindt Lindor Maple Chocolate Truffles — Lindt’s seasonal Maple Chocolate Truffles are back for fall. The limited-edition treat has a delicate chocolate shell surrounding Lindor’s smooth center with a distinctly maple-flavored filling, and is returning to stores for a limited time. SOURCE
*Availability and participation may vary. Products, menu items, and promotions may change or end without notice. For entertainment purposes only.
🌖 THAT’S A WRAP!
👀 WORD YOU LOOK AT THAT
(Click phrase to reveal its origin)BLOW YOUR OWN HORN
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