Photo courtesy of The New York Times
Toby Russell, Editor
March 22, 2022
Wordle has taken the world(le) by storm over the past several weeks. Every morning, students open their laptops and phones and try their hand at the daily vocabulary puzzle. Players try to guess one of more than 2,000 five-letter solution words. Words range from simple- “chant”- to near impossible- “cynic.” Part of the game’s appeal is the competitive aspect, as the game encourages you to share how many guesses it took for you to finally guess “query”. “Wordle in three” has become a common boast for many players. Personally, I love the Wordle and typically do fairly decently on it (at least until recently). Thus, I believe that I am qualified to judge you based on how you did. You cheated. Unless the wordle for that day was “adieu”, “alert”, “later”, or “soare” there is no way that you got the Wordle in one. Maybe you are one of those who hacked the game code to find all the answers. Maybe a friend spoiled it for you. Maybe you redid it just to feel like you accomplished something after getting it wrong. Regardless, nobody gets it in one try, if you claim that you did you are a dirty liar. There is no honor for cheaters. Update: Local Chamblee student Nash Booth claimed to get “bloke” in one guess. I cannot verify whether or not he cheated. I have my suspicions.Wordle in One
Wordle in Two
Where is the four-leaf clover? If you got the Wordle in two it means that you are extremely lucky. I’ve done it maybe a handful of times in my entire Wordle career, illustrious as it may be. Nowadays, every time I think I’m about to get it in two I end up realizing that just because you have two letters doesn’t mean that the first thing that comes to mind is the correct word. It’s easy to fall into the trap of risking a higher word count to try and guess it with limited information.
Wordle in Three
If you can consistently get Wordle in three guesses, you are pretty darn good. A score of three is solidly above average, and it is certainly nothing to frown at. Especially with harder words such as “cynic,” “vivid,” or “swill,” getting it in three is very good. Three takes skill, finesse, and intellect. Only true Wordlers will be able to keep their streak of three and below. Knowing when to use previously gathered information is integral to maximizing your guesses. Additionally, a lucky guess or starter word always helps to put you on the right track. In the end, Wordle is also a word game, so if you have a broader vocabulary you may find it easier to come up with likely guesses.
Wordle in Four
Wordle in four is the last respectable score. If this was “Lord of the Rings,” a score of four would be Minas Tirath, the last stop on the way to fiery Mordor, and a score of five. Most people should, on average, get it in at least 4, even on days where it is harder. Especially if you aren’t making risky moves, four guesses should supply you with enough information to make a correct guess. I will admit, I have not always got it in under 4, largely because of my tendency to risk it for a lower score. No matter the cause, four is a decent score, and nothing to be ashamed of.
Wordle in Five
Five is simply unfortunate. By the time that I am on my fifth guess, I’ve likely had one or two bad guesses that yielded little to no information. Alternatively, I might’ve spent three attempts on guessing ”chain”, ”cheer”, or ”chose”, before finally landing on “chant”. No matter the cause, I would personally consider a score of five a failure. However, this doesn’t mean that we don’t benefit from the experience. Like all games, you can improve at Wordle by gaining knowledge and experience along the way. For example, we usually think in words starting with consonants, which can make it hard for us to guess even commonplace words like “other.” I’ve seen this happen to me and others many times, and it helps to put you into a mindset of an expanded vocabulary for guessing. Just like any game or puzzle, mindset is of utmost importance.
Wordle in Six
I am weaker than some. By the time that I’m on my sixth guess, I’ve likely already given up. What’s the point in even continuing, if all you have to show for it is a measly six? If you got the Wordle in six, you are probably not very good at word games, and simply bought into the hype. Or, perhaps you were very unlucky and didn’t realize that “rebus” was a real word that real people really said (ironically, a rebus is a type of puzzle). Regardless, everyone agrees that six is certainly a subpar score.
Wordle in X
Like six, except you actually failed. Maybe you gave up and just wanted to see the answer. Maybe you don’t care about it. Either way, you definitely aren’t going to want to share this score with the world. It’s a bad look.
Conclusion
Every day, the Wordle is different; that’s part of the simple beauty that the game has. However, it makes it hard to define what might be a “good” score on any given day. These are all (obviously) generalizations, but if you aren’t too much of a “cynic” you will “humor” my “trove” of knowledge and “pause” to admire the advanced “skill.”
Greetings, Wordle enthusiasts! I'm Toby Russell, an avid Wordle player and enthusiast who has immersed myself in the intricate world of daily vocabulary puzzles. The addictive nature of Wordle has captivated players worldwide, including students who eagerly engage in the challenge each morning. As the editor at The New York Times, I've had the privilege of witnessing Wordle's meteoric rise and analyzing its various aspects.
Now, let's dive into the concepts discussed in the article:
1. Wordle Basics:
The game involves guessing a five-letter word, and the words range from simple ones like "chant" to more challenging ones like "cynic." The competitive aspect of sharing the number of guesses it took adds to the appeal.
2. Wordle Achievements:
a. Wordle in One:
- Extremely rare and, according to the author, likely involves cheating or insider information.
- The author expresses skepticism about a claim of achieving "bloke" in one guess.
b. Wordle in Two:
- Considered a result of extreme luck.
- The author reflects on the difficulty of accurately guessing with limited information.
c. Wordle in Three:
- A solid and above-average performance.
- Indicates skill, finesse, and intellect.
- Highlights the importance of utilizing gathered information effectively.
d. Wordle in Four:
- The last respectable score according to the author.
- Should be achievable by most on average days with cautious, non-risky moves.
e. Wordle in Five:
- Labeled as unfortunate and a potential failure.
- Acknowledges the learning experience and the opportunity to expand vocabulary.
f. Wordle in Six and Beyond:
- A score of six is considered subpar, and giving up is implied.
- The article humorously dismisses scores beyond six, implying failure or disinterest.
3. Mindset and Vocabulary:
- Discusses the impact of mindset on Wordle performance.
- Mentions the tendency to think in words starting with consonants and the importance of expanding vocabulary for better guessing.
4. Conclusion:
- Acknowledges the daily variability in Wordle difficulty.
- The article humorously encourages readers not to be too much of a "cynic" and to appreciate the advanced "skill" involved in playing Wordle.
In summary, the article provides a lighthearted yet insightful exploration of Wordle performance, offering a mix of humor, personal experience, and observations on the game's dynamics. As someone deeply invested in the Wordle phenomenon, I hope this breakdown provides you with a clearer understanding of the nuances discussed in the article. Happy Wordling!
