Not for those who don't like reading...
OK, now that you’re in, here’s why this email is not for those who don't like reading… It’s about Wordle. Solving it.
What actually is Wordle?
It’s a simple word game. You get six tries to find the hidden five-letter word of the day. The hidden word is simple. You don’t have to mug up a dictionary to solve it.
And that simplicity makes Wordle a tough puzzle at times.
So, this email is about words, about spellings. And if you don’t like reading in any form, Wordle probably won’t interest you.
If you still are curious, let’s continue this tale of logic and Googling skills.
[SPOILER ALERT]
There’s no spoiler alert. So, don’t get excited.
The example used here is from a Wordle puzzle 2-3 days ago.
And it put all my senses in sync and logical thinking on the test. :P
Now, here’s how I started solving my Wordle puzzle (and start every day)
Open an empty page in your notebook.
Yep, you need a pen and paper. You might need to note down a lot of letters and word combinations if you don’t get lucky early in the game.
Make two columns: 1) To use 2) Not to use
Now, open https://www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/
Enter a random five-letter word to start with.
In an article, I read it’s best to choose your first word with three vowels in it. It’ll help you trash the unnecessary vowels from your consideration list.
I usually go with words having two vowels; easier to think of.
I chose BINGE.
So, B is somewhere in the word, but not in the front. Add it to Column 1
Letters I N G E aren't in the word. Add them to Column 2.
Now, think of a five-letter word with B in it.
Else, Google "Five letter words with A." A looks like a good choice to begin a word with no E and I. Look for words with B. Skip anything with E G I and N in it.
I chose ABACK.
So, A C K aren't in the word. Add them to Column 2.
As of now, B is somewhere in the word, but not in the front two places.
Let's try a five-letter word with B in the end.
Google "Five letter words ending with B." B looks like a letter to be either in the middle or end, for a word with no A, I and E. Look for words with U and O. Skip anything with A C E G I K and N in it.
I chose PLUMB.
So, P L U M aren't in the word. Add them to Column 2.
B is somewhere in the word, but not in the front two places and in the end.
Now, we have only one vowel to use: O
Let's try a five-letter word with O in the middle. Google. Skip anything with A C E G I K L M N P and U in it.
I chose CHORD.
Yea, I did a little mistake, forgot about using B entirely, and also picked C accidentally. You can make that mistake too. It eliminates more letters and gives you fewer options to juggle through.
But if you can, avoid that mistake.
So, now H D too, aren't in the word. Add them to Column 2.
O R are somewhere in the word. Add them to Column 1.
Now, let's try for five-letter words with OR in the end. Google. Skip anything with A C D E G H I K L M N P and U in it.
Note: Look for common words only.
Words look alien?
Let's try for five-letter words with OR in the middle, OB in the middle or OB in the end. All look from a different world? Search for five-letter words with B in the middle.
I chose TABBY.
Another mistake! I forgot to use O. Also, picked up A accidentally. I was out of my wits. But I was also curious if the word has Y in it; a semi-vowel.
So, B is in the exact middle. T is somewhere in the word, but not in the front. Add it to Column 1.
Y isn't in the word. Add it to Column 2.
Now, I’ve four letters: B O R T, of the five-letter word, with B in the middle.
And only one chance left.
Should I search for words with BRO in the end? Let's do it!
Nothing good comes up.
Keep in mind, T is not in the front, B is in the middle, and letters A C D E G H I K L M N P U and Y are not in it. You can’t remember all those. That’s why I use a pen and paper. You can try using a second screen too.
Try words starting with O, words ending with O, words ending with T, words ending with R, words starting with R. Couldn't come up with anything good.
But then, I recalled, I saw a Wordhippo result when looking for 5-letter words ending with BRO. It allowed filtering words with specific letters. Opened it and set the dropdowns to "five-letter words" and "containing the letters."
Entered BORT.
And there was this list with only one word which has B in the middle, and no A C D E G H I K L M N P U and Y in it.
I chose it.
"ROBOT"
And that was the hidden word of the day.
Too long a newsletter?
Well, I already mentioned, right in the subject line, it's not for those who don't like reading. :P
Depending on what word you come up with first, your number of tries will vary from others.
But now that you know how I search in case of emergency, you sure will be able to solve Wordle 99.9% of the time.
And that’s all for today.
Will see you with another irregular newsletter soon. 🐼
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