Saturn’s Day is upon us, and with it the full might of the summer sun, hammering down from the heavens with a sweltering fury. The gods of fire were always the fiercest, though I suspect the deadliest deities are the devious ones. Gods of moon and shadow.
July is now split in twain. 15 days down, 16 to go. It’s easy to remember that July and August have 31 days if you know a simple trick: Both months are named after Roman emperors—Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar—and were given an extra day as homage. January, March, May, July, August, October, and December all have 31 days. These important men would not have been content with months shorter than January or March!
In any case, we have a Wordle to solve. Let’s do it!
How To Solve Today’s Wordle
The Hint: Old woman.
The Clue: This word ends in a vowel.
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See yesterday’s Wordle right here.
Wordle Bot Analysis
Fun words these last couple days. Like yesterday’s word, this one conjures a very specific image and has very evocative undertones. Also like yesterday, I was on point with my guesses, even if both words took me three tries.
I began today’s with prime not because of the recent Prime Day sales, but because I was thinking about all the new shows and movies coming out over the next few days. I had just written my weekend streaming guide and one of the shows I included is the new Justified: City Primeval show starring Timothy Olyphant. I plucked the prime from primeval, and nabbed two green boxes.
For my second word, I wanted to get a vowel and so I picked a word with two: clout. As you can see, I chose all new letters this time around, since I knew there would be a lot of words with an ‘R’ and ‘E’ in those positions. I did not expect to get two more green boxes in guess #2, but at this point I had CRO_E and the only word I could think of was crone.
Today’s Score
Another really good day for your humble narrator today. I get 1 point for guessing in three and another point for beating Wordle Bot, who took a whopping five guesses today. What really surprises me is just how like a human the Bot guessed. Check out our comparison chart:
I’ve fallen into this trap before. I’m sure many of you have also. You have so many green boxes, you think you know what the answer will be and guess but you’re still just one letter off. So you guess again but it’s still just one letter off. Normally, Wordle Bot narrows things down before popping off guesses like this!
Today’s Wordle Etymology
The word “crone” is derived from Middle English “cron,” which originally meant “old sheep” or “ewe.” The term later evolved to refer to an old or withered woman, particularly one who was considered ugly or haggard. The word has its roots in Old Norse and Old Irish, where similar terms were used to describe elderly women.
In Norse mythology, there is a goddess named “Krona” or “Krona” who is associated with old age and wisdom. The term “crone” may have been influenced by this association. Similarly, in Irish folklore, there is a figure called the “Cailleach” who is often depicted as an old hag or witch, embodying the power and wisdom of old age.
Over time, the term “crone” has acquired negative connotations and is often used to describe an elderly woman who is unattractive or unpleasant. However, in contemporary feminist and neopagan contexts, the word has been reclaimed to emphasize the wisdom and power of older women.
It is worth noting that the etymology of words can sometimes be complex and speculative, and the origins of “crone” are not entirely clear-cut. The term has evolved over centuries, influenced by various cultures and mythologies, and its precise etymology may have been subject to shifts and interpretations.
Play Competitive Wordle Against Me!
I’ve been playing a cutthroat game of PvP Wordle against my nemesis Wordle But. Now you should play against me! I can be your nemesis! (And your helpful Wordle guide, of course). You can also play against the Bot if you have a New York Times subscription.
- Here are the rules:1 point for getting the Wordle in 3 guesses.
- 2 points for getting it in 2 guesses.
- 3 points for getting it in 1 guess.
- 1 point for beating Erik
- 0 points for getting it in 4 guesses.
- -1 point for getting it in 5 guesses.
- -2 points for getting it in 6 guesses.
- -3 points for losing.
- -1 point for losing to Erik
You can either keep a running tally of your score if that’s your jam or just play day-to-day if you prefer.
I’d love it if you gave me a follow on Twitter or Facebook dearest Wordlers. Have a lovely day!
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