LinkedIn Pinpoint #490 Answer — September 2, 2025

🎯 Pinpoint 490 Answer & Full Analysis — September 2, 2025

This Pinpoint puzzle was all about patience! When I saw Tortoise, I thought of the famous Aesop's fable about the tortoise and the hare. Then Molasses appeared, and I remembered the expression "slow as molasses." That's when the pattern started to emerge—these are all things known for being slow!

The theme became crystal clear with Sloth, the famously slow-moving animal. When Snail and Traffic jams appeared, it was undeniable. The answer was Slow things.

🧩 Step-by-Step Solving Process

When I saw Tortoise, I thought of the slow-moving reptile. The phrase "slow and steady" came to mind, but I wasn't sure of the pattern yet.

Then came Molasses (treacle). This was a great clue because "slow as molasses" is a classic expression. Combined with Tortoise, the theme of slowness was emerging.

Sloth solidified the pattern. Sloths are famously the world's slowest mammals. The category was clearly about slow-moving things.

Snail fit perfectly. Snails are iconic symbols of slowness, known for their leisurely pace.

Finally, Traffic jams appeared. This was a clever addition—not a living creature, but definitely something that's frustratingly slow! All five clues are things that are slow.

🏆 Answer: Pinpoint 490

Slow things

📋 Words & How They Fit

Thing	Why It's Slow
Tortoise	A reptile known for its slow, steady movement
Molasses (treacle)	A thick, viscous syrup that pours very slowly
Sloth	The world's slowest mammal, moving at about 0.15 mph
Snail	A mollusk that moves at approximately 0.03 mph
Traffic jams	Heavy congestion that brings vehicle movement to a crawl

💡 Lessons Learned From Pinpoint 490

• Look for shared characteristics: When clues seem unrelated, think about what quality they all share.
• Idiomatic expressions are clues: Phrases like "slow as molasses" and "slow and steady" hint at the pattern.
• The category can include both living and non-living things: Traffic jams show that the pattern extends beyond animals.
• Cultural references matter: Knowing about the tortoise and the hare fable helps identify the theme.

❓ FA

Q1: How slow are sloths actually? Sloths move at an average speed of about 0.15 miles per hour on the ground, making them the world's slowest mammals. In trees, they're slightly faster at about 0.17 mph.

Q2: Why is the expression "slow as molasses" so common? Molasses is an extremely thick, viscous liquid that pours very slowly, especially in cold temperatures. The expression emphasizes extreme slowness.

Q3: What's the slowest: a tortoise or a snail? Snails are slower. While tortoises move at about 0.2 mph, snails crawl at approximately 0.03 mph, making them about six times slower.

Q4: How do traffic jams form? Traffic jams typically occur when too many vehicles try to use a road at once, or when incidents like accidents, construction, or merging lanes create bottlenecks that slow traffic flow.