Apparently I am now a “wordler”—someone that participates in the most recent puzzle sensation, Wordle. I am a member of a community of fellow “wordlers,” mostly just friends and family, that relish the opportunity to compete for bragging rights. That right lasts approximately 24 hours until the next day’s puzzle is released. It’s a simple puzzle, but hey, we are talking about a chance to assert your dominance over friends and loved ones, if even just for a short time.
As I said, the puzzles are simple. It begins—and ends—with the search for a five letter word. That’s it. No clues, like in a crossword. Your only weapon is command of the English alphabet and all the possible five letter words they can form. You get six chances to guess (or let’s say strategically guess, as to not make it sound like a waste of time) this five letter word. With each guess, the puzzle alerts you to as whether any of the letters of the word you guessed are actually part of the answer. Your masked results—as to not alert others to the correct answer—can be shared with your community. If it took you less chances than others, let the bragging texts begin!