Jumble Answers for 09/14/2026

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HKNTI = THINK

HSSTA = STASH

ITFRGH = FRIGHT

NYITSK = STINKY

CARTOON ANSWER:

AFTER THE SUN WENT DOWN, THE MEDIEVAL CASTLE GUARDS WERE REPLACED BY THE – – –

HIN SH FGT TIK = “KNIGHT” SHIFT

“KNIGHT”
SHIFT
⬇️ SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE ⬇️
WELCOME BACK PUZZLE PLAYERS!

🛡️ GUARD NIGHT

Today’s cartoon takes us back to medieval times, where a couple of castle guards look more than ready to call it a day. After spending hours keeping watch, they’re happy to see two familiar armored faces arrive to relieve them. With the sun down and the torches lit, the newcomers are ready to take over until morning. For the guards heading home, their long day is finally coming to an end as another one is just beginning.

🧩 CLUE WORD BREAKDOWN

HKNTI = THINK

Instantly visible.

Last used: 05/13/2025 as NIHKT

HSSTA = STASH

Needed a second glance.

Last used: 07/01/2025 as SAHTS

ITFRGH = FRIGHT

Came into view quickly.

Last used: 01/09/2024 as GTIRFH

NYITSK = STINKY

My pick for hardest.

Last used: 05/04/2024 as KNTYIS

🔎 Jumble Jeff’s Jems

➤ THE DAY WATCH

The two guards being relieved are dressed in armor. The guard on the left holds his sheathed sword with his left hand while eating an apple with his right. His partner wears a chest plate with a large J design in the center.

➤ THE NIGHT WATCH

The two arriving guards are also dressed in armor. The knight on the left wears a chest plate showing a wolf howling at the moon. His partner carries a wooden shield in his left hand and holds his sword in his right.

➤ AFTER DARK

The guards stand outside a castle entrance. A wall-mounted torch illuminates the door, while a clear night sky and crescent moon complete the background.

🧠 FINAL SOLVE

The final answer was an 11-letter anagram that solved into a “6” + 5 layout. Our first puzzle of the work week was a breeze. With the cartoon sentence stating MEDIEVAL CASTLE GUARDS, KNIGHT came to mind instantly. And with one pair of guards arriving to relieve the other, SHIFT seemed like a perfect fit to bring this one home in what felt like record time.

If today’s puzzle slowed you down, our biggest nudge was the changing of the guards. With it being nighttime and one pair taking over for the other, it was clear we were looking at the NIGHT SHIFT coming on duty. And with everyone clad in armor, “KNIGHT” provided the wordplay finish.

🌙 Click-To-Reveal Facts*: About Nighttime

➤ How much of your life do you spend sleeping?
Roughly one-third of your life is spent sleeping or trying to sleep. For someone who lives to 81, that works out to about 27 years.
SOURCE
➤ How long can it take your eyes to fully adjust to darkness?
Full dark adaptation can take roughly 30 to 40 minutes. As your eyes adjust, the rod cells in the retina become increasingly important for seeing in very dim light.
SOURCE
➤ Is exactly half of Earth dark at any given moment?
Surprisingly, not quite. Earth’s atmosphere bends sunlight around the day-night boundary, so slightly more than half of the planet is illuminated and slightly less than half is actually in darkness.
SOURCE
➤ What is the line between day and night called?
The moving boundary separating daylight from darkness is called the terminator. It’s also known as the gray line or twilight zone, and its shape changes with the seasons.
SOURCE
➤ How long is a night on the Moon?
A lunar night lasts about two Earth weeks. The Moon takes about a month to rotate once, making both its daytime and nighttime periods roughly two weeks long.
SOURCE

*For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.

💬 SAY WHAT?

“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” — Helen Keller

SOURCE

🗳️ GET A CLUE*
(ABOUT EACH OTHER!)

Solving the puzzle might be the main event, but connecting with one another is just as fun. Here’s a quick poll to share your perspective and see where you land among your fellow players.

*For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.

🎉 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS* – SEPTEMBER 14

➤ National Cream Filled Donut Day — Celebrate one of the bakery case’s sweetest treats, from classic cream-filled donuts to custard, vanilla, and other delicious fillings. SOURCE

➤ National Eat a Hoagie Day — Pile on the meats, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments and enjoy the famously filling sandwich known around the country by names including hoagie, sub, hero, and grinder. SOURCE

➤ National Boss/Employee Exchange Day — A day encouraging bosses and employees to switch roles or responsibilities for a while and gain a better understanding of what the other does. SOURCE

➤ National Sober Day — A day recognizing sobriety while raising awareness and offering encouragement to people pursuing or maintaining a sober lifestyle. SOURCE

➤ National Live Creative Day — An invitation to put imagination to work through painting, writing, music, cooking, crafting, photography, or whatever gets your creative juices flowing. SOURCE

➤ National Parents Day Off — A lighthearted reminder that parents deserve an occasional break from the everyday responsibilities of raising a family. SOURCE

➤ National Virginia Day — A celebration of the Commonwealth of Virginia, its history, landmarks, scenery, traditions, and contributions to the nation. SOURCE

*For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.

🥄 VIRAL RECIPE

Maple Syrup Pie

Sweet, rich maple syrup takes center stage in this old-fashioned pie, baked into a smooth filling inside a flaky pastry crust. It’s a simple, comforting dessert with plenty of maple flavor and a natural fit for the first hints of fall.

🛒 DAILY DROPS*

➤ Taco Bell Live Más Open — Taco Bell is heading to the golf course for its first Live Más Open, a nine-hole tournament hosted by Kevin Hart. The 36-player field will combine celebrities, professional athletes, creators, and nine qualifying players, with teams competing in challenges and even stopping at an on-course Taco Bell drive-thru. The tournament takes place November 2 at The Ranch at Laguna Beach in California, and the winning team gets to help bring a Taco Bell menu item back for a limited run in 2027. SOURCE

➤ AMC Movie Theater Snacks Delivered — AMC has expanded its home delivery lineup by adding Grubhub alongside DoorDash and Uber Eats. At participating theaters, movie-night staples including fresh popcorn, pretzel bites, pizza, and the oversized MegaBag can now make the trip from the concession stand to your front door. The MegaBag holds about three times as much popcorn as an AMC large, and available foods vary by theater. SOURCE

➤ McDonald’s CollectiBILLS Meal — McDonald’s and the Buffalo Bills have teamed up again, this time adding a Buffalo Bills bobblehead to special CollectiBILLS Meals. Breakfast includes a Sausage Egg McMuffin, hash brown, and drink, while lunch and dinner choices include a Big Mac or Chicken McNuggets with fries and a drink. The blue-and-red Buffalo Chill frozen drink is also back. The promotion is available for a limited time at select New York State McDonald’s restaurants outside the New York City area, while supplies last. SOURCE

➤ Bubly’s New Fall Sparkling Waters — Bubly has released two limited-edition, mocktail-inspired sparkling waters for fall. Berry Sparkle Sangria combines lemon, lime, orange, raspberry, and strawberry flavors, while Paradise Paloma pairs grapefruit with lime. Both are alcohol-free sparkling waters rather than canned cocktails and come in eight-packs of 12-ounce cans. The two flavors began rolling onto store shelves in September 2026. SOURCE

*Availability and participation may vary. Products, promotions, and events 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)

ALL’S WELL

Meaning: Everything is safe, secure, and as it should be.

So, where did it come from?
Long before modern police patrols and security systems, night watchmen made their rounds while the rest of the town slept. They kept watch for fires, thieves, disturbances, and other dangers, and in many places they called out the hour as they went.

The familiar cry became “[the hour] o’clock and all’s well,” letting residents know the time while also proving that the watchman was awake and making his rounds. This wasn’t just for show: residents could report a watchman who failed to make his expected cry, making the call a simple way of knowing the man on the night shift was actually doing his job.

🏆 Kudos to these players who’ve already moved on TOWER next one:

🌙 Pink3CE

🛡️ Jhaverty

🗡️ Electricmusic

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🔥 Smitty

🌌 LadyCrafty

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⚔️ Groovyphantom

🦉 Rpavenue

🕯️ Charlie

⭐ MateodeColón

🔦 HonestlyOff

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🪶 Butterflybarbi

👑 Postjoyfully

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🌃 Jeffritter3fb

🪔 Usuallye4cc

🐺 Heartrainyafd

🧭 Warren

🌘 Cheerful5D

🗝️ Jkorski

🌒 EfpVideo

🪖 Alleytaj52

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🚪 Krispy7832

🕰️ Mkratzert

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🧱 Postjoyfully

🍫 Betty

Please leave a LIKE, FACEBOOK 👍, or PINTEREST 📍 before you skedaddle!

✨May your day be BRIGHT and your mind stay SHARP!✨

Jumble is a registered trademark of Tribune Content Agency, LLC. All rights to the original puzzle, characters, and artwork are owned by Tribune Content Agency. This site is an independent fan resource and solver’s guide, unaffiliated with the creators or syndicators. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely my own and do not reflect those of Tribune Content Agency or the puzzle’s creators. For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.

Thank You For Reading!