POOPLE ANSWERS

AUGUST 2, 2026 ยท PUZZLE #353

HUFF to POOP.

One shortest route in 6 moves.

00
HUFF
START
01
GUFF
LETTER 1
02
GULF
LETTER 3
03
GOLF
LETTER 2
04
GOOF
LETTER 3
05
GOOP
LETTER 4
06
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 6 moves

HUFF and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 2 additional moves; the first and third letters change more than once.

Start by changing the first letter: HUFF โ†’ GUFF. Near the goal, GOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.

Every letter change

  1. HUFF โ†’ GUFF: change letter 1 from H to G.
  2. GUFF โ†’ GULF: change letter 3 from F to L.
  3. GULF โ†’ GOLF: change letter 2 from U to O.
  4. GOLF โ†’ GOOF: change letter 3 from L to O.
  5. GOOF โ†’ GOOP: change letter 4 from F to P.
  6. GOOP โ†’ POOP: change letter 1 from G to P.