NYT Connections April 23, 2025 #682 Hints & Answers

Trees communicate with each other through their root systems, often connected by networks of symbiotic fungi called mycorrhizal networks or 'wood wide web.' These networks allow trees to share resources, send warning signals about threats, and even nurture their offspring by transferring carbon to seedlings, demonstrating that trees have complex social structures beneath the surface.

A cat's tail contains about 10% of all the bones in its body. The average cat tail has 19-23 vertebrae, which allows for its remarkable flexibility and expressiveness. Similarly, dogs use their tails not just for balance but for complex social communication—the position, movement, and stiffness of a dog's tail can convey everything from excitement and confidence to anxiety and submission.

The term 'gag' in comedy originated in vaudeville theater during the early 20th century. Initially, it referred specifically to practical jokes or visual stunts that would 'gag' or silence the audience with laughter. One theory suggests it derives from actors being so amused during rehearsals that they would literally 'gag' or choke with laughter. The evolution of comedy terminology reflects the transition from physical slapstick to more diverse forms of humor across different entertainment media.

The maypole tradition dates back to pagan fertility rituals in Europe and continues today in many countries. The dance, where participants hold ribbons attached to the top of the pole and weave around each other, creates an intricate pattern as the ribbons gradually wrap around the pole. Interestingly, 'tadpole' comes from Middle English 'taddepol,' where 'tadde' meant toad and 'pol' meant head—literally 'toad-head'—reflecting how early observers focused on the tadpole's disproportionately large head rather than its tail.