The New York Times Connections puzzle #577, for January 8th, 2025, presents a challenging word association game. This article provides solutions and hints to help you solve it.
Puzzle Words: Pick, Memory, Limb, Biscuit, Trunk, Drumstick, Corn, Branch, Ear, Wing, Stained, Bow, Lincoln, Mallet, Tusk, Division.

General Hints:
- No food categories are used.
- No categories focus solely on tree parts or limb names.
- "Corn" and "Stained" belong to the same group.

Category Solutions:
Yellow (Easy): Section
- Hint: A part of a whole, a segment.
- Words: Branch, Division, Limb, Wing

Green (Medium): Accessories for Playing an Instrument
- Hint: Additional parts needed to play instruments.
- Words: Bow, Drumstick, Mallet, Pick

Blue (Hard): Distinctive Features of an Elephant
- Hint: Parts of a large, gray animal.
- Words: Ear, Memory, Trunk, Tusk

Purple (Tricky): Words Misspelled in Nu Metal Band Names
- Hint: Other words that fit this category include "Vein," "Kitty," "Trapped."
- Words: Biscuit, Corn, Lincoln, Stained

Complete Solution Summary:
- Yellow: Section: Branch, Division, Limb, Wing
- Green: Accessories for Playing an Instrument: Bow, Drumstick, Mallet, Pick
- Blue: Distinctive Features of an Elephant: Ear, Memory, Trunk, Tusk
- Purple: Words Misspelled in Nu Metal Band Names: Biscuit, Corn, Lincoln, Stained

To play the game, visit the New York Times Games Connections website.