POOPLE ANSWERS

NOVEMBER 24, 2025 ยท PUZZLE #102

JAIL to POOP.

One shortest route in 5 moves.

00
JAIL
START
01
FAIL
LETTER 1
02
FOIL
LETTER 2
03
FOOL
LETTER 3
04
POOL
LETTER 1
05
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 5 moves

JAIL and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 1 additional move; the first letter changes more than once.

Start by changing the first letter: JAIL โ†’ FAIL. Near the goal, POOL is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its fourth letter.

Every letter change

  1. JAIL โ†’ FAIL: change letter 1 from J to F.
  2. FAIL โ†’ FOIL: change letter 2 from A to O.
  3. FOIL โ†’ FOOL: change letter 3 from I to O.
  4. FOOL โ†’ POOL: change letter 1 from F to P.
  5. POOL โ†’ POOP: change letter 4 from L to P.