LinkedIn Pinpoint Answer for January 9, 2026
LINKEDIN PINPOINT CLUES
January 9, 2026
Advice
Gossip
Steering
Spinal
Ionic (in Greek architecture)
Clue Meanings Explained
Advice
This refers to a specific section in a newspaper or magazine where a writer (like the famous Dear Abby) provides guidance or suggestions to readers who write in with their personal problems.
Gossip
This represents a journalistic segment or a social media feed dedicated to sharing rumors, personal stories, and "behind-the-scenes" information about celebrities or high-society figures.
Steering
This refers to the structural component of a vehicle—specifically the shaft that connects the steering wheel to the rest of the steering mechanism, allowing the driver to guide the car.
Spinal
This is an anatomical term relating to the backbone or vertebral structure of a human or animal, which houses the spinal cord and provides central support for the body.
Ionic (in Greek architecture)
This describes one of the three classical orders of ancient Greek architecture, easily recognized by the scroll-like ornaments (called volutes) at the top of the pillar.
Hello there! It is great to dive into today's LinkedIn Pinpoint puzzle with you. As an analyst who looks at these games daily, I can tell you that today’s set was a masterclass in how the game uses "polysemy"—that’s just a fancy way of saying words that have the exact same spelling but totally different meanings depending on the context. This puzzle really tested our ability to jump from the world of journalism to automotive engineering, and then straight into human anatomy and ancient history. Let’s break down exactly what happened in today's challenge and how we arrived at the common thread: Types of columns.
The Solve: A Tale of Wrong Turns
When the first clue, Advice, popped up, I’ll be honest—my mind went in a dozen different directions. I immediately thought of "Tips," "Support," or maybe even "Consulting." It’s a very broad word, and in the world of Pinpoint, the first clue is often a bit of a "lure" to see if you’ll jump to a conclusion too quickly. I didn't submit anything yet because "Advice" could mean almost anything.
Then came the second clue: Gossip. This was the "Aha!" moment for the media side of my brain. What do Advice and Gossip have in common? They are both types of sections in a newspaper. My first instinct was to type in "Newspaper Sections" or "Journalism." But I hesitated. Pinpoint usually looks for a single, versatile word rather than a phrase. I started thinking about what those sections are actually called... they are "Columns."
When the third clue, Steering, appeared, it completely threw my "Newspaper" theory out the window—or so I thought for a split second. But then I remembered my car's mechanics. A car has a steering column. Suddenly, the word "Column" wasn't just about paper; it was about a physical structure. This is where the puzzle gets clever. It forces you to stop thinking about the *content* (the gossip) and start thinking about the *container* (the column).
By the time Spinal showed up as the fourth clue, I was 99% certain. The "spinal column" is the ultimate structural support for the human body. It perfectly bridged the gap between the mechanical "steering" and the literary "advice." It showed that a column is essentially anything that stands tall, supports a structure, or organizes information in a vertical way.
The final clue, Ionic, was the victory lap. If you’ve ever taken a basic art history or architecture class, you know that Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian are the three main types of Greek columns. Seeing "Ionic" confirmed that the answer had to be "Columns." It was a fun journey through different industries, all tied together by one very hardworking word.
Lessons Learned From Today's Pinpoint Solution
Think Beyond the First Context: When you see a word like "Advice," don't just think about the act of helping someone. Think about where that word lives in the world (like in a newspaper). Always look for the "container" of the clue.
The "Pivot" is Key: A great solver is ready to change their mind. If you thought the category was "Media" after the first two clues, you had to be willing to pivot to "Structures" once "Steering" and "Spinal" appeared. Don't get married to your first guess.
Anatomy and Architecture are Pinpoint Favorites: The game developers love using terms that appear in both the human body and the physical world. Whenever you see a word that feels "medical" (like Spinal), try to see if it has a mechanical or architectural twin.
Wait for the Third Clue: In this specific puzzle, the first two clues were very similar (both related to writing). The third clue is usually the "disruptor" that reveals the true nature of the wordplay. If you can hold off on guessing until clue three, your accuracy will skyrocket.
Expert Q&A
Why does the word "Column" apply to both a newspaper and a car?
It all comes down to the concept of a vertical, supporting structure. In a newspaper, a column is a vertical block of text that supports the layout of the page. In a car, the steering column is a vertical (or angled) shaft that supports the steering mechanism. The word evolved from the Latin "columna," meaning a pillar.
Are there other types of "Columns" that could have been used as clues?
Absolutely. The creators could have used "Excel" or "Spreadsheet" (referring to vertical data cells), "Fifth" (as in a 'Fifth Column'—a group working secretly to undermine a nation), or even "Doric" or "Corinthian" to stay in the architectural theme.
How does "Advice" specifically relate to the word "Column"?
In journalism, an "Advice Column" is a specific format where a columnist answers reader questions. Because these were