POOPLE ANSWERS

SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 · PUZZLE #385

PERM to POOP.

One shortest route in 5 moves.

00
PERM
START
01
PERP
LETTER 4
02
PEEP
LETTER 3
03
PREP
LETTER 2
04
PROP
LETTER 3
05
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 5 moves

PERM and POOP differ in 3 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 2 additional moves; the second and third letters change more than once.

Start by changing the fourth letter: PERM → PERP. Near the goal, PROP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its second letter.

Every letter change

  1. PERM → PERP: change letter 4 from M to P.
  2. PERP → PEEP: change letter 3 from R to E.
  3. PEEP → PREP: change letter 2 from E to R.
  4. PREP → PROP: change letter 3 from E to O.
  5. PROP → POOP: change letter 2 from R to O.
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