NNELI = LINEN
LYSMI = SLIMY
GHRECA = CHARGE
ELSNSO = LESSON
CARTOON ANSWER:
OWNING A DICTIONARY WITHOUT ANY PAGES IS – – –
IEN LM AGE SSN = MEANINGLESS
MEANINGLESS
⬇️ SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE ⬇️
📚 LOST FOR WORDS
Today’s cartoon takes us up to an attic where a father and son are going through boxes that haven’t seen the light of day in years. Dad has come across a dictionary, or what’s left of one, and points out that the cover isn’t going to be much help without any pages inside. His son can’t understand why it was kept, although there could be a story behind it, a memory attached to it, or a perfectly good reason those pages disappeared. Whatever the explanation, a dictionary without any words to define doesn’t really have much to say.
🧩 CLUE WORD BREAKDOWN
NNELI = LINEN
Wasn’t immediate.
Last used: 01/01/2026 as NLEIN
LYSMI = SLIMY
Needed an extra look to make sure it wasn’t SMILY.
Last used: 03/08/2025 as MLYIS
GHRECA = CHARGE
Instantly visible.
Last used: 05/01/2025 as RAHEGC
ELSNSO = LESSON
Came quicker than it usually does. Often confused with LOOSEN.
Last used: 08/09/2024 as SLNSEO
🧠 FINAL SOLVE
The final answer was an 11-letter anagram that solved into a single 11-letter word. Our first puzzle of the weekend would take a few extra moments to sort through, with the clue words SLIMY and LESSON accounting for most of that time. Looking at the cartoon and accompanying sentence, the first words that came to mind were BLANK and MISSING, but neither was anywhere near long enough to complete the layout.
With the clue words tidied up, the ESS near the end of the anagram brought LESS to mind, which fit nicely with a dictionary having no pages. Once those letters were crossed out, MEANING was looking back at me to close the book on this one.
If today’s puzzle slowed you down, our biggest nudges were the father and son’s dialogue exchange, along with the visual of the dictionary itself. A dictionary with nothing but its cover seemed MEANINGLESS to the son, and without any pages, there are no definitions to find the MEANING of a word, leaving this dictionary a little LESS useful than intended.
Click-To-Reveal Facts*: About Dictionaries
➤ How long did Noah Webster spend on his famous dictionary?
SOURCE
➤ How many entries were in Webster’s 1828 dictionary, and how does that compare with a modern one?
SOURCE
➤ When is National Dictionary Day?
SOURCE
*For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.
🎉 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS* – SEPTEMBER 26
➤ National Pancake Day — Stack them high and pour on the syrup. Today celebrates one of breakfast’s longtime favorites, whether you prefer pancakes plain, loaded with fruit, or covered in butter and maple syrup. SOURCE
➤ National Dumpling Day — From potstickers and pierogi to ravioli and other filled favorites, today celebrates the many varieties of dumplings enjoyed around the world. SOURCE
➤ National Seat Check Saturday — A reminder for parents and caregivers to make sure child safety seats are installed and used correctly before hitting the road. SOURCE
➤ National Johnny Appleseed Day — A day honoring John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, who became an American folk figure after planting and tending apple nurseries across parts of the early United States. SOURCE
➤ National BRAVE Day — A day devoted to recognizing women who encourage, support, and strengthen one another through life’s challenges and accomplishments. SOURCE
➤ National Singles Day — A celebration of single people and the independence, friendships, interests, and experiences that make up life outside of a relationship. SOURCE
➤ National Compliance Officer Day — Recognition for the professionals who help organizations follow laws, regulations, policies, and industry standards. SOURCE
➤ National Situational Awareness Day — A reminder to pay attention to what’s happening around you and recognize potential hazards before they become problems. SOURCE
➤ National Shamu the Whale Day — A day remembering Shamu, the famous killer whale whose name became closely associated with SeaWorld and generations of its visitors. SOURCE
➤ National Ghost Hunting Day — Grab the flashlights and keep an eye on the shadows. This day celebrates ghost hunters, paranormal investigations, and the search for things that go bump in the night. SOURCE
➤ National Family Health & Fitness Day USA — An annual reminder for families to get moving together through walks, bike rides, sports, outdoor activities, or any other form of exercise. SOURCE
➤ National Hunting and Fishing Day — A day recognizing hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, and the role sportsmen and sportswomen have played in conservation efforts. SOURCE
➤ Save Your Photos Day — A reminder to organize, protect, back up, and preserve those boxes of old photographs and growing collections of digital pictures before they’re lost. SOURCE
➤ National Public Lands Day — A nationwide celebration of America’s public lands that encourages people to volunteer, explore parks and trails, and spend some time outdoors. SOURCE
*For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.
🥄 VIRAL RECIPE
This old-school Detroit favorite starts with a rich chocolate cake topped with thick rows of vanilla buttercream, creating the signature “bumps.” A glossy layer of chocolate fudge is poured over the top to finish it off. The original Bumpy Cake dates back to 1913, making this a retro dessert with more than a century of history.
🛒 DAILY DROPS*
➤ McDonald’s Monopoly Returns October 6 — The peel-and-play game returns to participating McDonald’s restaurants on October 6, with physical Monopoly pieces appearing on eligible breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. Prizes include free food, 1,500 to 7,000 loyalty points, trips, vehicles, and Chance Card prizes that include $50,000 toward a home down payment and a $1 million cash prize. Players will need to register through the McDonald’s app, and game pieces must be redeemed by November 1. SOURCE
➤ Dairy Queen’s Enchanted Oreo Blizzard — Beginning September 28, Dairy Queen is adding the new Enchanted Oreo Blizzard, made with an ube-flavored base, Oreo cookies, purple shimmer, and DQ soft serve. Also arriving are the Bubble Brew DQ Sparkler, made with blood orange, lemonade, sparkling water, and cold foam, and a new Ghost Pepper Sauce. Collectible DQ Mystery Blizzard Buddy plush keychains will also be offered with an order at participating locations while supplies last. The limited-time lineup is scheduled through November 1. SOURCE
➤ Dunkin’ × L.L.Bean Collection — The full Dunkin’ × L.L.Bean collection arrives on September 29. The lineup includes a Coffee Tote designed to carry a Dunkin’ drink, the classic L.L.Bean Birdseye Sweater, and a special Boat and Tote featuring Dunkin’s orange and pink colors. Dunkin’ Rewards members can also get a free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase through the Dunkin’ app on National Coffee Day. SOURCE
➤ Tillamook Brings Back Two Ice Cream Flavors — Espresso Chip Ice Cream is returning with rich espresso ice cream and crunchy chocolate espresso beans, while Sugar Cookie Ice Cream combines cookie dough ice cream with sugar pieces and cookie dough bites. Both returning flavors are rolling out in 1.5-quart containers at stores across the country. SOURCE
*Prices and participation may vary. Retailers may alter or end promotions without notice. For entertainment purposes only.
🌕That’s A Wrap!
Harvest Moon – TODAY @ 12:49pm EDT
👀 WORD YOU LOOK AT THAT
(Click phrase to reveal its origin)
NOT WORTH THE PAPER IT’S WRITTEN ON
Meaning: Something that looks official or important but is actually worthless or meaningless in practice.
So, where did it come from?
This expression dates back to at least the 1800s, when written agreements, guarantees and promises carried enormous weight—but only if the people behind them actually honored their word.
One early recorded use came in 1861, when Austrian statesman Count Johann Bernhard von Rechberg was discussing guarantees involving the newly unified Italy. He dismissed them as being “not worth the paper they are written on.”
The idea stuck because it was easy to understand: putting something in writing doesn’t make it valuable or true. If the words carry no weight, the document doesn’t either.
SOURCE🏆 Kudos to these players who WORD come away winners:
📚 Alan H.
🧐 Inquislysprby
🔎 Keithbock
✏️ Smitty
🍫 Betty
📖 Electricmusic
🗂️ Bobsteve9
🧠 Alleytaj52
📝 Jeffritter3fb
🗃️ Postjoyfully
💿 Groovyphantom
🔤 MateodeColón
📒 Jkorski
🦋 Butterflybarbi
📰 HonestlyOff
🪶 Warren
💡 Cheerful5D
📦 Rpavenue
🖋️ GHB8225
📕 LadyCrafty
🔖 Charlie
🧩 Pink3CE
📚 Bergenhighland
🗞️ Heartrainyafd
🔍 Jhaverty
📓 Usuallye4cc
💬 Don10160
📘 DTomassini
🧾 Mkratzert
📎 Krispy7832
🗄️ AceKincaid
📜 EfpVideo
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