Why isn't the answer "Sharp Things"?
While knives, swords, and razors are sharp, "shoulders" are definitely not! A valid Pinpoint answer must apply strictly to ALL five clues without exception.
💡 Hover (desktop) or tap (mobile) each clue to see how it connects to the answer
LinkedIn Pinpoint #571 Answer:
Detailed breakdown continues just below - keep scrolling
Pinpoint #571 Walkthrough & Analysis
Puzzle Overview
If you looked at today's board and immediately thought "this is going to be dangerously sharp," you were right on the money. Pinpoint #571 felt like walking through a minefield of potential connections—anatomy, sports, medieval weaponry, and even your morning shave. I initially tried to group them by material (metal?) or function (cutting?), but there was one outlier that kept throwing me off: SHOULDERS. How on earth do shoulders fit with swords and knives? It wasn't until I stopped thinking about the objects themselves and started thinking about their names that the "aha!" moment finally hit.
How the Solution Emerged
My first instinct was violent: Swords, Knives, Razors... was the category "Weapons"? But then there were proper Ice Skates, which didn't fit, and Shoulders, which definitely aren't weapons (unless you're a linebacker). I tried pivoting to "Sharp things," but again, Shoulders ruined the theory.
I stared at "SHOULDERS" for a good minute. What comes after it? Shoulder... pads? Shoulder... press? Shoulder... BLADES. That was the spark. I tested it against the others. Ice skate... blades. Switch... blades? No, just Sword blades. Knife blades. Razor blades.
Suddenly, the disparate collection of items—a body part, sports gear, weapons, and a toiletry item—all aligned perfectly under one invisible suffix. The satisfaction of verifying "Razor blades" as the final piece was the perfect cap to a tricky morning solve.
How Each Clue Connects to "Things with blades"
| Clue Word | Example Phrase | Connection Explained |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulders | “Shoulder blades” | The shoulder blades are the flat bones located on the back that connect the arm to the torso, and they are commonly referred to in anatomical terms. |
| Ice Skates | “Ice skates have sharpened blades” | The blades of ice skates are specifically designed to glide on ice, making them essential for the sport of ice skating. |
| Swords | “sword blades” | Swords are weapons that consist of a long metal blade, which is the essential part of their design. |
| Knives | “Chef's knives” | Chef's knives are essential tools in the kitchen, characterized by their sharp blades used for slicing and dicing food. |
| Disposable razors | “Razor blades” | Disposable razors are equipped with razor blades, which are essential for shaving and are a common type of blade found in personal grooming products. |
The Correct Connections
Once the answer was revealed, everything made perfect sense. Here's how each clue connects:
- Shoulders (Shoulder blades): The shoulder blades are the flat bones located on the back that connect the arm to the torso, and they are commonly referred to in anatomical terms.
- Ice Skates (Ice skates have sharpened blades): The blades of ice skates are specifically designed to glide on ice, making them essential for the sport of ice skating.
- Swords (sword blades): Swords are weapons that consist of a long metal blade, which is the essential part of their design.
- Knives (Chef's knives): Chef's knives are essential tools in the kitchen, characterized by their sharp blades used for slicing and dicing food.
- Disposable razors (Razor blades): Disposable razors are equipped with razor blades, which are essential for shaving and are a common type of blade found in personal grooming products.
Lessons Learned from Pinpoint #571
- 1
Don't ignore the outlier
When one clue (like Shoulders) refuses to fit your theory (Weapons), it's usually the most important key. It forces you to abandon the obvious and look for the linguistic connection.
- 2
Say the words aloud
Visualizing the object 'Ice Skates' blocks you. Saying 'Ice Skates' aloud helps your brain autocomplete the next word—'blades'.
- 3
Check for invisible suffixes
Pinpoint loves 'compound word' categories where the second half is missing. If the objects don't relate physically, they almost certainly relate linguistically.
- 4
Broaden your definitions
A 'blade' isn't just a piece of metal; it's also a bone (scapula) and a runner on a skate. The puzzle exploited this single word's multiple definitions beautifully.
FAQ
What is a "Shoulder blade"?
It's the common name for the scapula, the flat, triangular bone at the back of your shoulder. It's called a 'blade' because of its flat shape, similar to a shovel or oar blade.
Are "Ice skate blades" a real term?
Yes, the metal runner on the bottom of an ice skate is technically and specifically called the 'blade'. It's the part that actually cuts into the ice to allow movement.
Why doesn't "Disposable razors" just connect to "Shaving"?
Because you can't "shave" a sword or an ice skate! Categories like "Travel items" or "Grooming" typically fail because they only cover 2-3 clues, not the full set of 5.