LinkedIn Pinpoint Answer for January 18, 2026
LINKEDIN PINPOINT CLUES
January 18, 2026
Elevators
Dress shirts
Curling rinks
Calculators
Bellies
Clue Meanings Explained
Elevators
These are vertical transport vehicles that move people or goods between the different levels, floors, or decks of a building or vessel.
Dress shirts
These are garments with a collar and a full-length opening at the front, typically worn for formal or business occasions, often made of woven cloth.
Curling rinks
This refers to the specific ice sheets where the sport of curling is played, featuring a series of concentric circles at each end used for scoring.
Calculators
These are typically small, electronic (or historically mechanical) devices used specifically for performing mathematical calculations and operations.
Bellies
This is the front part of the human trunk below the ribs, or the equivalent part in animals, which contains the stomach and digestive organs.
Today’s LinkedIn Pinpoint puzzle was a masterclass in lateral thinking, taking us from mechanical engineering to high fashion, and even into the world of niche sports and human anatomy. At first glance, these five items seem to have absolutely nothing in common, but that is the beauty of this game. It forces you to look past the primary function of an object and identify a shared component that might be literal, metaphorical, or even a bit of a pun.
The Solve: A Tale of Wrong Turns
When the first clue, Elevators, popped up, my mind immediately went to architecture and movement. I thought about "Floors," "Cables," or maybe "Going Up." In a game like Pinpoint, the first clue is often the broadest, so I took a shot and guessed "Buildings." It was a logical start, but the game told me I wasn't quite there yet.
Then came the second clue: Dress shirts. This immediately threw my "Buildings" theory out the window. I had to find the bridge between a piece of machinery and a piece of clothing. I thought about "Collars" (no, elevators don't have those) and "Linings." Then it hit me: Buttons. You press a button to call an elevator, and you fasten buttons to wear a dress shirt. It felt like a strong lead, but I wanted to see if the game would get more specific.
The third clue, Curling rinks, was the real curveball. If you aren't a fan of the Winter Olympics, this one might have stumped you. In the sport of curling, the very center of the target (the "house") is actually called the "button." This confirmed that the word "button" wasn't just about physical plastic discs on a shirt; it was about the term itself used in different contexts.
By the time Calculators appeared as the fourth clue, I was 100% certain. Calculators are essentially just a handheld grid of buttons. Whether they are digital or physical, the interface is defined by those little keys you press to get an answer.
The final clue, Bellies, was the cherry on top. It moved the concept from objects and sports into human anatomy. We all have a "belly button" (the navel). It was a clever way to wrap up the puzzle by using a common phrase rather than a functional part. After seeing all five, the connection was undeniable: the answer had to be "Things with buttons."
Lessons Learned From Today's Pinpoint Solution
* Anticipate Multiple Meanings: This puzzle proves that "button" can be a mechanical switch (Elevators), a fastener (Dress shirts), a target (Curling), or a body part (Bellies). Always look for words with multiple definitions.
* Don't Ignore Niche Jargon: Sometimes the clue relies on a specific term used in sports or science. If a clue like "Curling rinks" feels out of place, try to think of the specific names for parts of that environment.
* The "Anatomy" Pivot: Pinpoint loves to include a clue that refers to a body part to see if you can make the jump from inanimate objects to humans. Whenever you see a body part, ask if there’s a common idiom or compound word associated with it.
Expert Q&A
Why is the center of a curling house called a button?
In curling, the "button" is the small circle at the very center of the house. It is the ultimate goal for the stone to reach, and its name likely comes from its small, circular shape resembling a traditional clothing button.
Are there different types of buttons being referenced here?
Yes, the puzzle cleverly mixes functional buttons (elevators, calculators), decorative/fastening buttons (dress shirts), and metaphorical or named buttons (curling rinks, bellies). This variety is what makes the puzzle challenging.
What is the best strategy when the first two clues seem unrelated?
The best strategy is to list the physical components of both items. For elevators and dress shirts, you might list "metal," "fabric," "door," "sleeve," and "button." The word that appears on both lists is usually your best bet for the answer.
Could "Keys" have been a valid answer for this puzzle?
While calculators and elevators have keys, dress shirts, curling rinks, and bellies do not. Pinpoint requires an answer that fits every single clue perfectly, and "buttons" is the only word that bridges all five.
How common are puns in the Pinpoint game?
Puns and wordplay are extremely common. The game often uses the literal version of a word for three clues and a figurative or idiomatic version for the other two to keep players on their toes.