Jumble Answers for 09/22/2026

CARTOON ANSWER:

RATTLED THEM

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WELCOME BACK,

PUZZLE PLAYERS!

🐍 FANGS FOR THE WARNING

Today’s cartoon takes us out on the trail, where a peaceful hike comes to a stop after a couple crosses paths with a snake. The man is caught off guard, unsure what their next move should be, while his partner has already made up her mind. Nearby, the snake seems content holding its ground, tongue out and tail buzzing away as the startled pair keeps its distance. One unexpected encounter was all it took to leave these hikers more than a little shaken.

🧩 CLUE WORD BREAKDOWN

LCKAH = CHALK

Needed another look.

Last used: 03/10/2026 as HKACL

ODTSO = STOOD

Instantly visible.

Last used: 07/11/2025 as SOTDO

MKTARE = MARKET

No trouble at all.

Last used: 11/20/2025 as RTMAKE

ETBRTE = BETTER

My pick for hardest. No trouble though.

Last used: 01/13/2025 as TEREBT

🔎 Jumble Jeff’s Jems

➤ HIKING INTO TROUBLE

The male hiker is wearing a bucket hat, T-shirt, cargo shorts and hiking boots, with a hiking pole gripped in his right hand. His wide-eyed expression shows just how startled he is by what they’ve stumbled across.

➤ READY TO BEAT FEET

His partner has her hair tied back and is dressed for the trail in a short-sleeved shirt, shorts and sneakers. At this point, she’s interested in only one thing—getting out of there.

➤ MAKING SOME NOISE

In the foreground, the coiled pit viper has its tongue extended and a menacing grin across its face, with scales visible along its head and body. Action lines around the raised rattle make sure there’s no mistaking the warning it’s giving the hikers. Patches of grass surround the trail, while rocky mesas rise across the open landscape to complete the setting.

🧠 Final Solve

The final answer was an 11-letter anagram that solved into a 7 + 4 layout. Our Tuesday puzzle ended up being an instant solve for this player. A quick read of the cartoon sentence, along with one look at the snake’s tail and the startled expressions on the hikers’ faces, brought RATTLED THEM immediately to mind. With all four clue words solved without any hesitation, my first instinct proved to be right on the fang, and with that, I could coil it a day. If today’s puzzle slowed you down, our biggest nudges were the hikers’ shocked expressions and the pit viper’s shaking tail. The encounter had clearly RATTLED THEM, when the snake RATTLED THEM a warning to keep their distance.

🐍 Click-To-Reveal Facts*: About Pit Vipers

➤ What makes a viper a pit viper?
It has two heat-sensing pits, one between each eye and nostril. These special sensors help it locate warm-blooded prey, even in darkness. The “pit” refers to its face—not where it lives.
SOURCE
➤ Do we have pit vipers in the United States?
Yes. Rattlesnakes, copperheads and cottonmouths are all pit vipers. Cottonmouths are also called water moccasins. Coral snakes are venomous too, but belong to a different family.
SOURCE
➤ Where are you most likely to find them?
In the U.S., copperheads live mainly in the East and into Texas, while cottonmouths favor the Southeast, especially near water. Rattlesnakes occupy a much wider variety of places, including deserts, mountains, grasslands and coastal areas.
SOURCE
➤ What is a rattlesnake’s rattle made of?
Keratin—the same material as your fingernails. Loose, interlocking segments knock together when the snake shakes its tail. There aren’t little pebbles or beads inside making that familiar sound.
SOURCE
➤ Can you tell a rattlesnake’s age by counting its rattles?
No. A new segment develops when the snake sheds its skin, rather than on each birthday. Older segments can also break off, so counting them won’t give you an accurate age.
SOURCE
➤ How many Americans are bitten by venomous snakes each year?
An estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people, with about 5 fatalities annually. Those figures include all venomous snakes in the U.S., not just pit vipers. Prompt medical treatment helps keep fatalities low, although bites can cause lasting injuries.
SOURCE

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

💬 SAY WHAT?

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.” — Mark Twain

🗳️ 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 22

National Ice Cream Cone Day — Waffle, sugar or cake cone? Pick your favorite, add a scoop, and enjoy a treat that comes with its own edible holder. SOURCE

Autumnal Equinox — Fall begins in the Northern Hemisphere, with daylight and darkness nearly equal in length. Bring on the changing leaves, cooler evenings and apple picking. SOURCE

Hobbit Day — Celebrate the shared birthday of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins from J.R.R. Tolkien’s stories. A little reading and a second breakfast sound like a fine start. SOURCE

National States and Capitals Day — Put those geography lessons to the test. Can you match all 50 states with their capitals without sneaking a look at the map? SOURCE

National Elephant Appreciation Day — Give the world’s largest land animals a little attention. Learn about their close family bonds and the efforts to protect them and their habitats. SOURCE

National Brown Butter Day — Butter takes on a rich, nutty flavor as its milk solids brown. Try that extra bit of flavor in cookies, pasta or a sauce for vegetables. SOURCE

National Girls’ Night — Make time for the women who make you laugh. Dinner out, a movie at home or a few rounds of cards all leave plenty of room for catching up. SOURCE

National Centenarian’s Day — Honor those who have reached 100 years of age or more. Take time to hear their stories—a century of living leaves plenty worth sharing. SOURCE

National White Chocolate Day — Enjoy white chocolate in fudge, cookies or a coating for pretzels. That creamy sweetness pairs especially well with a little salty crunch. SOURCE

National Online Recovery Day — Recognize the role of online treatment and support in recovery from substance use disorders. Virtual services can help people connect with care when distance or transportation gets in the way. SOURCE

Car Free Day — Give the car a day off when you can. Walking, cycling or taking public transportation offers another way to get where you’re going while reducing traffic. SOURCE

Dear Diary Day — Put a little of today on paper. A few lines about your thoughts, family or everyday life can become memories you’ll be glad you saved. SOURCE

National Legwear Day — Socks, stockings, tights and leggings get their turn in the spotlight. Pull out a favorite pair and add a little color or comfort to your day. SOURCE

American Business Women’s Day — Recognize the accomplishments of women in the workforce, from small-business owners to company leaders. Here’s to their hard work and the opportunities they create for others. SOURCE

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

🥄 VIRAL RECIPE

Arkansas Possum Pie

No possum in this pie—just layers of sweetened cream cheese, chocolate pudding and whipped cream over a buttery pecan shortbread crust. A sprinkle of chopped pecans finishes it off. Give it at least six hours to chill before serving so those creamy layers have time to set.

🛒 Daily Drops*

Kerrygold Cream Cheese — Kerrygold is adding four cream cheese spreads to the dairy aisle: Original, Strawberry, Honey, and Onion & Chive. Made with cream from grass-fed cows, the spreads come in seven-ounce tubs and are rolling out exclusively at Walmart. SOURCE

Cracker Barrel’s $5 Unlimited Pancakes — Cracker Barrel is bringing back its $5 All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Deal for National Pancake Day on Saturday, September 26. The offer covers buttermilk pancakes, so specialty varieties aren’t part of the deal. Bring your appetite and let someone else handle the griddle. SOURCE

Capri Sun Big Pouch — Capri Sun is testing a pouch that holds roughly three times as much as its regular version. Limited daily drops began September 21 on Walmart.com at $6 per pouch, while supplies last. This is a test release, with no permanent rollout announced. SOURCE

TGI Fridays’ 3 For All Meal Deal — Starting at $11.99, this meal includes an appetizer, an entrée and a drink. The starting tier offers a chicken quesadilla or cheeseburger with a side. Higher-priced tiers add choices such as shrimp Caesar salad, Sliced Steak Frites and Blackened Chicken Alfredo. Available at participating locations. SOURCE

*Prices and participation may vary. Retailers may alter or end promotions without notice. For entertainment purposes only.

🌔 That’s A Wrap!

4 days until the Harvest Moon.

👀 WORD YOU LOOK AT THAT

(Click phrase to reveal its origin)

HIGHTAIL IT

Meaning: To leave somewhere quickly, especially when there’s a good reason to get moving.

So, where did it come from?

This one takes us back to the American West in the late 1800s. Ranchers knew the sight well: when cattle and other animals were startled and took off running, their tails often went straight up as they fled. By around 1890, that familiar sight had worked its way into American slang as “hightail,” meaning to move away in a hurry.

Before long, “hightail it” became a colorful way of telling someone to get moving—and fast. The cattle-ranch days behind the expression may be long gone, but the picture is still hiding right there in the words: an animal spots trouble, throws its tail high and makes a quick getaway.

Sources

SOURCE SOURCE

🏆 Kudos to these players who ADDER fun time solving this one:

🥾 MateodeColón

🐍 Keithbock

🧭 Inquislysprby

🌲 Alleytaj52

🪨 Jkorski

🦎 Pink3CE

🍫 Betty

⛰️ Bobsteve9

🎒 Cheerful5D

🌿 Alan H.

☀️ DTomassini

🗺️ Butterflybarbi

🌵 Groovyphantom

🦅 Warren

🏕️ HonestlyOff

🍃 Charlie

🔦 LadyCrafty

🌄 Postjoyfully

🪵 EfpVideo

🐢 Usuallye4cc

🏞️ Rpavenue

🦌 Krispy7832

🌱 GHB8225

🦂 Mkratzert

🧢 Smitty

🌤️ Jhaverty

🐾 AceKincaid

🪶 Electricmusic

🌳 Bergenhighland

🧗 Jeffritter3fb

🌙 Don10160

🏔️ Heartrainyafd

✨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.

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