LinkedIn Pinpoint Answer for September 19, 2025
LINKEDIN PINPOINT CLUES
September 19, 2025
Fish
Drum
Lip
Chop
Selfie
Clue Meanings Explained
Every day, the LinkedIn Pinpoint challenge tests our ability to find that one common thread connecting five seemingly random words. Today’s puzzle was a classic example of how a simple suffix can hide in plain sight until you look at the clues through a specific linguistic lens. Let's break down the literal meanings of these clues before we see how they fit together.
Fish
This refers to any member of a group of shelled or scaly aquatic animals that breathe through gills and lack limbs with digits.
Drum
A percussion instrument sounded by being struck with sticks or the hands, typically cylindrical, barrel-shaped, or bowl-shaped with a taut membrane over one or both ends.
Lip
Either of the two fleshy parts which form the upper and lower edges of the opening of the mouth in humans and many other animals.
Chop
To cut something into pieces with repeated sharp blows using an axe or knife, or a thick slice of meat (like a pork chop) usually containing a bone.
Selfie
A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media.
The Solve: A Tale of Wrong Turns
When the first clue, Fish, popped up, my mind immediately went to the obvious categories. I was thinking about "Water," "Ocean," or maybe even "Scale." At this stage, the possibilities are endless, so I didn't want to burn a guess too early. I sat with it for a second, wondering if it might be related to "Hook" or "Line," but nothing felt definitive.
Then came the second clue: Drum. Now, this was interesting. "Fish" and "Drum." My first thought was actually musical. I thought of a "Bass" (the fish) and "Bass" (the drum), but that felt a bit too clever for a general word game. Then I thought about the word "Roll"—fish roll (like sushi) and drum roll. It was a strong contender, but I decided to wait for one more hint to be sure.
The game changed completely when Lip appeared as the third clue. I looked at the trio: Fish, Drum, Lip. Suddenly, the "Roll" theory fell apart because "Lip roll" isn't really a common phrase. I started running the words through a "compound word" filter. Fishstick? Drumstick? Lipstick? It was like a lightbulb went off. All three of these are very common items that end with the word "stick."
To be 100% certain before submitting, I looked at Chop. It fit perfectly. Chopsticks are the primary utensils used in many Asian cultures. By the time Selfie appeared, I didn't even need to think. The "Selfie stick" was the final piece of the puzzle, confirming that the common link was indeed the word "stick."
It’s a great example of how the game leads you from broad possibilities to a very narrow, specific solution. Once you see the pattern of compound words or phrases, the rest of the clues act as a victory lap rather than a challenge.
Lessons Learned From Today's Pinpoint Solution
Look for Compound Word Potential: When you see nouns like "Lip" or "Drum," always test if they can form a common compound word or a two-word phrase with a shared suffix. This is one of the most frequent patterns in Pinpoint.
Don't Guess on Clue Two: While "Fish" and "Drum" had a few potential links (like "Bass" or "Roll"), they were ambiguous. Waiting for the third clue almost always provides the "pivot point" that eliminates the wrong paths and confirms the right one.
Consider Different Categories: Notice how the clues spanned across food (Fish/Chop), music (Drum), beauty (Lip), and technology (Selfie). If your brain stays stuck in one category (like "nature" for fish), you'll miss the connection. You have to be willing to jump between totally different industries or life areas.
The "Suffix Test" is Key: If you are stuck, try adding common words like "stick," "board," "light," or "man" to the end of each clue. Often, the answer is the word you are adding.
Expert Q&A
Why was "Selfie" included as the final clue instead of a more traditional word?
The game often uses a modern or "trendy" word as the final clue to make the connection undeniable. While "Fishstick" or "Drumstick" might have multiple meanings, a "Selfie stick" is a very specific, modern invention that leaves almost no room for alternative interpretations.
Could the answer have been "Roll" if the clues were different?
Potentially! If the clues were "Cinnamon," "Drum," "California," and "Honor," then "Roll" would be the perfect answer. This shows how the specific combination of "Lip" and "Chop" forced the answer to be "Stick" instead.
Is "Fishstick" one word or two?
In this context, it doesn't actually matter for the puzzle. Pinpoint looks for words that *precede* the target word. Whether the resulting term is a single compound word (Lipstick) or two separate words (Selfie stick), the logic remains the same.
What is the best strategy when the first two clues seem to have no connection?
The best strategy is patience. The first two clues are often designed to be broad. If "Fish" and "Drum" don't immediately click, don't force it. The third clue is almost always designed to narrow the field significantly.
Are there other "sticks" that could have been used as clues?
Absolutely. The developers could have used "Yard," "Match," "Walking," or "Night" (as in nightstick). Part of the fun is seeing which specific examples they choose to represent the category!