What Does “Practically Paleolithic” Mean in NYT Strands?
In the September 23, 2026 NYT Strands puzzle, “Practically Paleolithic” points to something extremely old or out of date. Paleolithic literally refers to the Old Stone Age. Here, the phrase is an exaggeration, not a request to find prehistoric animals or tools.
Show Strands #934 spoilers
Strands #934 Spoilers
| Answer | Why it fits |
|---|---|
| ANCIENT | Very old or belonging to a distant period |
| ARCHAIC | Old-fashioned or no longer in common use |
| BYGONE | Belonging to an earlier time |
| PRIMEVAL | Relating to the earliest ages |
| TIMEWORN | Worn or made stale by age or long use |
| THAT’S OLD NEWS | Something already known and no longer new |
Why Does “THAT’S OLD NEWS” Fit?
The spangram shifts the theme from literal age to the everyday expression “old news,” meaning information that is no longer new.
Published
What Does Paleolithic Mean?
Paleolithic means relating to the Old Stone Age, the earliest broad period of the Stone Age.
What Does “Practically Paleolithic” Mean Here?
Practically means almost or virtually in this phrase. “Practically Paleolithic” therefore means so old, archaic or out of date that it feels as if it came from the distant past.
Evidence
Sources
- New York Times Strands — September 23, 2026 puzzle data
- Merriam-Webster — Paleolithic