This Wordle blog post centers around the New Year’s Eve puzzle, offering hints, the solution, and an analysis of the word itself. The author sets the scene with a festive New Year’s Eve anecdote, describing the unique tradition of a giant pinecone drop in their mountain town, contrasting this year’s warm weather with previous frigid celebrations. This sets a lighthearted tone before diving into the Wordle puzzle of the day.
The puzzle is deemed “tricky” but the author gets lucky with their guesses. The hint, “Madagascar,” and the clue about consonant bookends guide the reader (and the author) towards the answer. Starting with “SPIEL,” the author narrows down the possibilities considerably despite not getting any correct letters. The second guess, “FLARE,” though also yielding all yellow tiles, leaves only one possible solution: “LEMUR,” successfully solving the puzzle in three tries. This section provides a play-by-play of the author’s solving process, offering insights into their strategy and highlighting the element of luck involved in Wordle.
Following the solution reveal, a detailed analysis of the word “lemur” is provided. The connection to Madagascar is explored, with the island nation harboring the majority of lemur species. The author notes the existence of some lemur species in Brazil but explains that most others were driven to extinction by chimpanzees and other apes, with human hunting also contributing to their endangered status. The significance of Madagascar in primatology is emphasized, with the island being considered its own region in primate studies alongside entire continents like Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The extinct giant lemurs, as large as gorillas, are also mentioned, adding another layer of intrigue to the lemur’s story.
The competitive aspect of Wordle is highlighted next, with the author explaining their scoring system. Points are awarded based on the number of guesses required to solve the puzzle, with bonus points for beating the Wordle Bot. The author celebrates their two-point victory against the bot, concluding the year on a high note. The scoring system is detailed, including double points on Fridays, adding a gamified element to the daily Wordle challenge. This section encourages reader engagement by suggesting a friendly competition and providing a structured way to track performance.
The etymology of the word “lemur” is also explored. Deriving from the Latin word “lemures,” meaning spirits or ghosts of the dead, the name is linked to the nocturnal habits and eerie calls of these primates, which reminded early European naturalists of the restless spirits of Roman mythology. This section adds a historical and linguistic dimension to the word, enriching the understanding beyond its connection to primates.
Finally, the author concludes with a call to action, encouraging readers to share their Wordle experiences on various social media platforms and to subscribe to their other content channels. This serves to build a community around Wordle and promote the author’s other work, focusing on games, TV shows, movies, and cultural commentary. The newsletter signup option further strengthens the connection with the audience, promising more reviews and engaging content beyond the daily Wordle analysis.
