What connects Oil, Stair, Ink, Fare, and Fare thee in Pinpoint #590?
They all come before the word "well" to form new compound words or phrases: Oil well, Stairwell, Inkwell, Farewell, and Fare-thee-well.
💡 Hover (desktop) or tap (mobile) each clue to see how it connects to the answer
LinkedIn Pinpoint #590 Answer:
Detailed breakdown continues just below - keep scrolling
Pinpoint #590 Walkthrough & Analysis
Puzzle Overview
Today’s Pinpoint puzzle seems deceptively simple with Oil and Stair. The mind immediately rushes to 'Industrial Sites' or 'Basement items.' It feels like a solid category. However, bringing in Ink (writing) and Fare (money/travel) destroys that picture—these items have no physical home together. When definitions clash this violently, the puzzle usually demands a shift from *meaning* to *word structure*.
How the Solution Emerged
I fell for the 'Construction' bait immediately. Oil + Stair? Easy. I was thinking 'Basement things' or 'Job site requirements'. It felt consistent.
Then Ink dropped. I stared at it. Ink doesn't go in a basement. Is it 'Liquids'? No, stairs aren't liquid. My theory was in ruins. I looked at Fare next. It's an abstract concept (money/journey), which made a physical theme impossible. I knew I had to pivot to language.
I started testing suffixes. *Oil-pan? Stair-case? Ink-jet?* Nothing stuck across all four. Then I muttered 'Oil well'. *Wait...*.
I tested 'Well' against the others:
* **Stair** → Stairwell (Yes, the vertical shaft)
* **Ink** → Inkwell (Yes, the desk pot)
* **Fare** → Farewell (Yes, goodbye)
It clicked perfectly. Even the strange phrased clue Fare thee resolved into 'Fare-thee-well'. The visible chaos of the words hid a simple, consistent suffix.
💡 The Correct Connections
Once the answer was revealed, everything made perfect sense. Here's how each clue connects:
- Oil (Oil well): A boring in the earth designed to bring petroleum oil to the surface.
- Stair (Stairwell): A vertical shaft in a building containing a staircase.
- Ink (Inkwell): A small container for holding ink, typically on a desk.
- Fare (Farewell): An expression of good wishes on parting; goodbye.
- Fare thee (Fare-thee-well): A state of perfection or completeness (e.g., 'beaten to a fare-thee-well').
Lessons Learned from Pinpoint #590
- 1
Don’t marry your first category
The first two clues (Oil, Stair) were designed to lock you into a 'Physical Location' mindset. Be ready to abandon that the second a conflicting clue (Ink) appears.
- 2
Abstract words break physical themes
'Fare' is a concept (price/journey-wish), not an object. When you see an abstract noun mixed with physical ones, the answer is almost always a word-link, not a category.
- 3
Test suffixes aloud
When meanings fail, start adding common words (man, box, land, well) to the end of each clue. Your ears will often catch 'Stairwell' and 'Inkwell' before your eyes do.
FAQ
Why isn't the answer 'Construction Sites'?
While Oil and Stair fit construction, Ink (writing supplies) and Fare (travel cost) invalidate that theme. Pinpoint requires the answer to fit ALL five clues.
What does 'Fare-thee-well' mean?
It is an archaic phrase deriving from 'fare thee well' (goodbye), often used to mean to the utmost degree or perfection.