It’s more than two years since Wordle launched and its daily viral brainteasers are still challenging players across the globe.
Invented by Brooklyn-based software engineer Josh Wardle in 2013, the word puzzle game was originally created as a gift for his crossword loving partner. He perfected the pastime during lockdown and realizing others may enjoy the game, uploaded Wordle to the web.
In November 2021, the game had only 90 active users. By December, that figure had risen to 2 million. Impressed, The New York Times purchased the game for a seven-figure sum in January 2022.
Stefani Reynolds/AFP
Although people of all ages play Wordle, the daily puzzles are particularly popular amongst Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964.
According to a survey by WordFinder, this generation plays the game more than any other, so it’s no surprise that they also clock the most wins—getting the correct answer 81 percent of the time.
Impressively, they also had the lowest average play time per day, meaning they’re finding the right answer pretty quickly. However, Generation Z is pretty good at the game too—despite playing it the least—with 11 to 28 years olds having the lowest average guess rate.
Internet trends come and go, so why has Wordle’s popularity endured? It may have something to do with how often the puzzles reset. Wardle only allows users to solve one Wordle per day, meaning the game can’t be binged and prolonging the player’s interest.
“I built a prototype of Wordle in 2013. Functionally it’s almost the same as the one we have now, with the biggest difference being that the older version allowed endless play. In other words, you could just keep on going until you had your fill,” he told Newsweek in 2022.
“The idea to impose a limitation came when my partner and I started getting into crosswords during the pandemic. In particular, The New York Times have this puzzle called ‘Spelling Bee,’ which has this once-a-day model that I thought was really effective.”
Still, that doesn’t mean the game is easy, with Wardle himself usually needing four or five guesses to find the answer.
If you need a hand beating today’s Wordle enigma, Newsweek is here to help.
‘Wordle’ #909, Clues for Friday, December 15
Newsweek has gathered five clues, so you can guess today’s Wordle puzzle in no time.
Hint #1: Today’s answer starts with a consonant.
Hint #2: There are two vowels.
Hint #3: There are no duplicate letters in today’s Wordle.
Hint #4: Related words include “subject” and “theme.”
Hint #5: The answer contains the letter “c.”
‘Wordle’ #909, Answer for Friday, December 15
Today’s Wordle answer is “Topic.”
Did you get it right? If not, you might have better luck with tomorrow’s puzzle, with Wordle resetting at midnight.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.