What Does RUB-A-DUB Mean in Connections?

RUB-A-DUB is a real English expression that imitates the sound of drumming.

That is the meaning of the full expression.

It does not normally mean “to name.”

The September 23, 2026 Connections puzzle uses a separate meaning hidden inside the final word DUB.

NYT ConnectionsSep 22, 2026

What does RUB-A-DUB mean?

Merriam-Webster defines RUB-A-DUB as the sound of a drum or repeated drumming.

So if you saw the phrase on the board and thought of drums, that reading was reasonable.

The puzzle is not asking you to redefine the entire expression.

The wordplay uses the final part:

RUB-A-DUB → DUB

DUB can be a verb meaning to give someone or something a name, title or description.

That is why the expression can participate in a category based on endings tied to naming.

The important distinction is:

RUB-A-DUB means a drumming sound.

DUB can mean to name or call.

Those are separate meanings.

You can dub someone a champion, dub a film into another language or use DUB in several other ways.

Connections #1200 is using the naming sense.

For example:

They dubbed the building “The Glass House.”

Here, DUB means to call or give a name to something.

The full relationship is explained separately because the other entries introduce a second question about NAME, LABEL and especially COIN.

For a broader introduction to the kinds of unusual words and internet questions WeirdThings explains, visit the WeirdThings overview.

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