POOPLE ANSWERS

APRIL 2, 2026 ยท PUZZLE #231

SWAT to POOP.

One shortest route in 5 moves.

00
SWAT
START
01
SLAT
LETTER 2
02
PLAT
LETTER 1
03
PLAP
LETTER 4
04
PLOP
LETTER 3
05
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 5 moves

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

Start by changing the second letter: SWAT โ†’ SLAT. Near the goal, PLOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its second letter.

Every letter change

  1. SWAT โ†’ SLAT: change letter 2 from W to L.
  2. SLAT โ†’ PLAT: change letter 1 from S to P.
  3. PLAT โ†’ PLAP: change letter 4 from T to P.
  4. PLAP โ†’ PLOP: change letter 3 from A to O.
  5. PLOP โ†’ POOP: change letter 2 from L to O.