Wordle, the popular word puzzle game, was created by software developer Josh Wardle during the coronavirus lockdown in New York as a simple game for him and his partner to enjoy. In October 2021, Wardle released the game to the general public, leading to a dedicated fan base around the world who share hints and results on social media. This popularity allowed Wardle to sell Wordle to The New York Times in January 2022 for an undisclosed low seven-figure sum. Despite this, the game remains free to play.
Erhan Aslan, a linguistics expert at the University of Reading in the U.K., provided advice for Wordle players, stressing the importance of choosing a strategic starting word that includes commonly used vowels and consonants. As players receive feedback after each guess, drawing on phonics knowledge can help narrow down possible words. For example, knowing consonant cluster possibilities can aid in the guessing process. Aslan’s tips can help players improve their performance and work towards solving each day’s puzzle more efficiently.
To further assist players, Newsweek offers hints and tips for solving the daily Wordle puzzle. For example, one recent puzzle required players to guess a word that contained only one vowel and featured no repeated letters. Additional hints pointed towards a type of clothing often associated with being outdoors and starting with one of the first three letters of the alphabet. The answer to this particular puzzle was revealed as “smock,” a loose garment worn for protection while working.
Wordle’s success lies in its simplicity and appeal to a wide audience, making it a global sensation. The game’s addictive nature and challenge to improve results over time have captured the attention of players worldwide. The combination of strategy, phonics knowledge, and teamwork in sharing hints on social media have contributed to Wordle’s widespread popularity. Despite its humble origins, Wordle has become a cultural phenomenon in a relatively short period, highlighting the universal appeal of word-based puzzles.
As Wordle continues to grow in popularity, players are constantly seeking ways to improve their skills and solve each day’s puzzle more effectively. With the help of linguistics experts like Erhan Aslan and hints provided by platforms like Newsweek, players can enhance their understanding of the game’s mechanics and increase their chances of success. Wordle’s success story, from a lockdown creation to a seven-figure sale to The New York Times, showcases the power of simple yet engaging gameplay that can captivate audiences globally. With its devoted fan base and daily challenges, Wordle has proven to be a game that brings people together and sparks a sense of camaraderie through shared experiences.
