POOPLE ANSWERS

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 · PUZZLE #103

OUCH to POOP.

One shortest route in 7 moves.

00
OUCH
START
01
MUCH
LETTER 1
02
MUCK
LETTER 4
03
BUCK
LETTER 1
04
BOCK
LETTER 2
05
BOOK
LETTER 3
06
BOOP
LETTER 4
07
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 7 moves

OUCH and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 3 additional moves; the first and fourth letters change more than once.

Start by changing the first letter: OUCH → MUCH. Near the goal, BOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.

Every letter change

  1. OUCH → MUCH: change letter 1 from O to M.
  2. MUCH → MUCK: change letter 4 from H to K.
  3. MUCK → BUCK: change letter 1 from M to B.
  4. BUCK → BOCK: change letter 2 from U to O.
  5. BOCK → BOOK: change letter 3 from C to O.
  6. BOOK → BOOP: change letter 4 from K to P.
  7. BOOP → POOP: change letter 1 from B to P.
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