Having trouble with today's NYT strand? Today's theme, “Old Troubles”, may be a bit difficult for those born in this century.

Below are some helpful hints for Strand #273 and answers when you need them. Start with a few hints to get the complete answer to Strand #273.

WARNING: There are spoilers for Strand #273.

The official theme for NYT Strands #273 is... “Old Obsessions.”

And here's an unofficial tip from me: “The old-fashioned way to make a phone call.”

If you're still not sure, here are a few useful words that give valuable hints:

Still having trouble? Spangram gives you a hint on conjunctions. Today it starts with 'R' and ends with 'E'.

Scroll down to see what it is.

ROTARYPHONE.

Now, what is the answer to today's Strand game #273?

Drumroll please.

... Spangram was ROTARYPHONE.

Strands #273

“Old hang-ups”

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Hello Strands fans! This must be tricky for young players. I was born in the 1980s and have only dim memories of rotaryphone, so those born in this century may have a hard time.

Initially, I thought the theme of “old-fashioned obsessions” might refer to out-of-fashion clothing. In fact, I started spelling it “vintage” but could not find a “T” to connect it.

Then I saw the SWITCH in the upper right corner and I was off. But it wasn't off enough to know what it was, and I had to use a hint to reveal the DIAL.

Of course! Because I had already found the word “phone” and added it as a clue word.

Regardless, this made it much easier. I found RECEIVER in the upper left corner and HANDSET in the lower right corner.

CRADLE and RINGER completed the right side of the answer sheet, leaving only the SPANGRAM. It was, of course, ROTARYPHONE.

Are you reading this late in the day? The full article on the solution to yesterday's game #273 on the Strand can be found here.