Why Is COS LETTUCE in the Math Group in NYT Connections?
Cos lettuce is another name for romaine lettuce. In the September 19, 2026 NYT Connections puzzle, it joins LOG CABIN, SIN CITY and TAN LINE because each phrase begins with an abbreviated mathematical function: COS, LOG, SIN and TAN. The connection is in the beginning of each phrase, not in what lettuce, cabins, cities and tan lines have in common.
| Phrase | Start | Math meaning |
|---|---|---|
| COS LETTUCE | COS | cosine |
| LOG CABIN | LOG | logarithm |
| SIN CITY | SIN | sine |
| TAN LINE | TAN | tangent |
What is cos lettuce?
Cos lettuce is the British name for the lettuce commonly called romaine in North America. It has long upright leaves and a tall head.
The name is older than the puzzle’s math trick. Oxford traces “cos” to the Aegean island of Cos, so the lettuce was not named after cosine.
How do the four phrases connect?
Connections #1196 uses the category STARTING WITH ABBREVIATED MATH FUNCTIONS.
- COS begins COS LETTUCE.
- LOG begins LOG CABIN.
- SIN begins SIN CITY.
- TAN begins TAN LINE.
The full phrases do not need to have mathematical meanings. Only their openings create the group.
Why is LOG included with COS, SIN and TAN?
COS, SIN and TAN are common abbreviations for trigonometric functions.
LOG is different: it represents logarithm. That still fits the category because the category says abbreviated math functions, not abbreviated trigonometric functions.
Why this group is easy to miss
COS LETTUCE looks like a food term, LOG CABIN looks architectural, SIN CITY is a nickname and TAN LINE describes a mark on skin.
The puzzle hides the relationship by making the complete phrases point in four unrelated directions while their first three letters form the real pattern.
Keep exploring
Related
Evidence
Sources
- New York Times Connections puzzle date: September 19, 2026
- Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary — cos lettuce
- Connections #1196 answer reference