POOPLE ANSWERS

OCTOBER 14, 2025 · PUZZLE #61

JERK to POOP.

One shortest route in 6 moves.

00
JERK
START
01
PERK
LETTER 1
02
PEEK
LETTER 3
03
PEEP
LETTER 4
04
PREP
LETTER 2
05
PROP
LETTER 3
06
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 6 moves

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

Start by changing the first letter: JERK → PERK. Near the goal, PROP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its second letter.

Every letter change

  1. JERK → PERK: change letter 1 from J to P.
  2. PERK → PEEK: change letter 3 from R to E.
  3. PEEK → PEEP: change letter 4 from K to P.
  4. PEEP → PREP: change letter 2 from E to R.
  5. PREP → PROP: change letter 3 from E to O.
  6. PROP → POOP: change letter 2 from R to O.
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