The Rise Of Wordle: How A Simple Game Captured The Hearts Of Millions

It's the middle of the week, so if you are struggling with Wednesday's Wordle puzzle, Newsweek is here to help. The game that has taken the internet by storm was invented during the coronavirus lockdown by Josh Wardle, a software engineer who created a fun puzzle for himself and his partner. Released to the public in October 2021, Wordle quickly gained traction, with players sharing their achievements and strategies across social media platforms.

Following its public debut, the puzzle saw a meteoric rise from just 90 users on November 1, 2021, to a staggering 300,000 by January 2, 2022. This explosive growth caught the attention of The New York Times, which acquired the game for an undisclosed seven-figure sum, making it one of the publication's most popular features.

A major attraction of Wordle lies in its simplicity. Players must guess a hidden five-letter word within six attempts, utilizing a color-coded tile system: green indicates a correct letter in the right position, yellow signifies a correct letter in the wrong position, and gray shows that the letter is not in the word at all. This engaging format keeps players coming back for more, even when they face challenges.

If the game gets frustrating, linguistics expert Noël Wolf from Babbel Live recommends being strategic with your guesses. She suggests using a different set of letters after your first guess to eliminate possibilities more effectively. For example, if your first guess is "crane," and you discover that C and R are correct, instead of guessing "cross," try a word like "plumb" to explore new letters and vowel placements.

If all else fails, Wolf reminds players that "patience is a virtue." Stepping away from the screen can often provide clarity. Writing out the word with blank letters on a piece of paper may help reveal words that jump out at you. This method can serve as a refreshing break from staring at your device and can lead to new insights.

'Wordle' #1,222 Clues and Hints for Wednesday, October 23

Newsweek has gathered some useful clues to help you tackle today's Wordle puzzle.

• Hint #1: Today's word is an adjective.
• Hint #2: There is one vowel in today's answer.
• Hint #3: There is one repeated letter in today's Wordle.
• Hint #4: The answer begins with the letter "G."
• Hint #5: You might think of the name of a Disney character.

'Wordle' #1,222 Answer for Wednesday, October 23

Today's Wordle answer is "goofy." According to Merriam-Webster, this word means "being ridiculous or mildly ludicrous." If you didn't manage to guess it, don't worry; there's always tomorrow! Wordle updates daily at midnight, providing a fresh puzzle to challenge your brain. Newsweek will continue to offer hints and tips for each new game, ensuring you stay engaged and entertained.

While waiting for the next puzzle, consider exploring other word-based games like Typochondria and Spellspire for a change of pace! These games can help keep your mind sharp while enjoying the thrill of wordplay.