OHNIR = RHINO
ETFRA = AFTER
ERMGEE = EMERGE
SCTUAC = CACTUS
CARTOON ANSWER:
HE WASN’T SURE HOW MUCH SANDPAPER HE WOULD NEED, BUT HE DID HAVE A – – –
HIO TER MGE ATUS = ROUGH ESTIMATE
⬇️ SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE ⬇️
WELCOME BACK,
PUZZLE PLAYERS!
🪵 THE NITTY-GRITTY
Today’s cartoon takes us into the paint department of a hardware store, where a customer is preparing to tackle the job of stripping paint from four doors. The attendant is ready to help him choose the right amount of sandpaper, but the customer is still working out just how much the project might require. With several doors to tackle and a little mental math involved, he has a ballpark figure in mind, even if the final count is still a bit up in the air.
🧩 CLUE WORD BREAKDOWN
OHNIR = RHINO
My pick for hardest.
Last used: 03/14/2025 as NIHOR
ETFRA = AFTER
Instantly visible.
Last used: 10/23/2025 as FREAT
ERMGEE = EMERGE
Took a moment, but no trouble.
Last used: 01/18/2025 as GRMEEE
SCTUAC = CACTUS
Came quickly when looking at the letters in reverse.
Last used: 03/29/2026 as TCCSAU
🔎 Jumble Jeff’s Jems
➤ THE GRITTY GREETER
The attendant wears glasses, a short-sleeved shirt, and a smock with a blank name tag on her left chest. She stands behind the counter with sheets of sandpaper spread out in front of her, ready to help the customer figure out what he’ll need.
➤ FOUR DOORS, ONE HEADACHE
The customer wears a short-sleeved shirt and does some quick mental math. He figures he’ll need three to five sheets of sandpaper per door, bringing his total to somewhere between 12 and 20 sheets to get the job done.
➤ A SANDY SHOPPING SPREE
The PAINT DEPARTMENT sign hangs above the attendant, with packaged sandpaper displayed on the wall behind her. Circular sanding discs and what appears to be a powered sanding unit are nearby, while rows of paint cans fill the open space beneath the counter.
🧠 FINAL SOLVE
The final answer was a 13-letter anagram that solved into a 5 + 8 layout. The solution to our second-to-last puzzle of the workweek wasn’t all that hard to nail down. My first instinct was ROUGH GUESS, but I didn’t let it rub me the wrong way when it didn’t fit the layout. With all the clue words solved, ROUGH was definitely there, and once those letters were eliminated, a little mental gymnastics of my own brought ESTIMATE into view to close the door on this one. If today’s puzzle slowed you down, our nudges were the customer talking through how many sheets of sandpaper he might need, arriving at a ROUGH ESTIMATE, as well as the various types of sandpaper on display, suggesting the attendant had something ROUGH enough for the job.
🪵 Click-To-Reveal Facts*: About Sandpaper
➤ Is sandpaper actually made with sand?
SOURCE
➤ What does the grit number on sandpaper mean?
SOURCE
➤ Who received an early American patent for sandpaper?
SOURCE
*For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.
💬 SAY WHAT?
“Far better an approximate answer to the right question, which is often vague, than an exact answer to the wrong question, which can always be made precise.” — John Tukey
🎉 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS* – OCTOBER 29
➤ National Oatmeal Day — A warm bowl of oatmeal is a comforting way to start the morning. Whether you prefer yours with fruit, cinnamon, or a little brown sugar, today celebrates this breakfast favorite. SOURCE
➤ National Hermit Day — Sometimes a little peace and quiet is exactly what we need. Today is a reminder that there’s nothing wrong with stepping away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy some time to yourself. SOURCE
➤ National Cat Day — From playful kittens to laid-back lap cats, today celebrates our feline companions while encouraging people to support shelters and consider adopting a cat in need of a loving home. SOURCE
*For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.
🥄 VIRAL RECIPE
Sometimes the easiest desserts turn out to be the sweetest. This old-fashioned favorite calls for just three ingredients: cherry pie filling, boxed cake mix, and butter. Layer everything in a baking dish without stirring, then bake until the topping is golden and the cherries are bubbling. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a treat that’s hard to resist.
SOURCE🛒 DAILY DROPS*
➤ Hormel Black Label Portion Pack Bacon — Hormel has introduced a new way to package its Black Label bacon, with each 12-ounce package containing three individually wrapped portions of four slices each. The smaller sections make it easier to cook just a few slices for breakfast, sandwiches, or recipes while keeping the remaining bacon sealed until needed. SOURCE
➤ Red Robin Veterans Day Meal — Red Robin is honoring veterans and active-duty military members on November 11 with a complimentary Red’s Big Tavern Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries. The burger comes with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and Red’s Secret Sauce on a brioche bun. The offer is available for dine-in guests with valid military identification or proof of service. SOURCE
➤ Domino’s Minecraft Dungeons II Collaboration — Domino’s has teamed up with Minecraft Dungeons II for a promotion featuring six collectible pizza boxes decorated with characters from the game. Customers ordering the personal-sized Domino pizza can receive themed packaging, while eligible Rewards members can unlock exclusive digital items. A separate promotion also offers opportunities to receive a digital copy of the game. SOURCE
*Availability and participation may vary. Products and promotions may be offered for a limited time only. For entertainment purposes only.
🌔 That’s A Wrap!
👀 WORD YOU LOOK AT THAT
(Click word to reveal its origin)
SHELLAC
Meaning: A natural resin used to give wood a smooth, glossy, protective finish, commonly found on furniture, doors, and musical instruments.
So, where did it come from?
Believe it or not, shellac comes from insects! Tiny creatures called lac insects, found primarily in India and Southeast Asia, feed on tree sap and secrete a sticky resin that hardens around the branches. For centuries, workers have harvested this substance and processed it into the flakes used to make shellac. The name combines “shell” with “lac,” which traces back to the Sanskrit word lākṣā, associated with these resin-producing insects.
But here’s where the story gets even more interesting. Before vinyl records became popular, shellac was used to manufacture phonograph records, including those old 78 RPM discs. Food-grade shellac is also used to give certain candies and pharmaceutical pills their shiny coatings. So whether you’re refinishing an old wooden door, listening to a vintage record, or enjoying a glossy piece of candy, you might have a tiny insect to thank. Who knew bugs could leave such a polished impression?
WIKIPEDIA BRITANNICA🏆 A special thank you to these players who never LATCH you down:
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📅 WAIT FOR IT…
🎃 DAYS TO HALLOWEEN
✍️ 18 DAYS TO GUEST JUMBLER WEEK #14
🦃 28 DAYS TO THANKSGIVING
🎄 57 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS
🎉 64 DAYS TO NEW YEAR’S DAY
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✨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.
