Updated: Mar 5
TIP 1: Use new vs list as a tie breaker.
If you think of two answers and one is on the list, choose the “new” word. NYT said new words will be more common than repeat words for now. So either answer could be right, but new words are still more likely.
TIP 2: Repeat answers are least likely to use again.
If you see an “@” repeat mark on an answer, it isn’t likely going to be used again anytime soon.
TIP 3: Use old vs recent as a tie breaker.
Choose older past answers over recent past answers. Reuse answer numbers so far: #0, #296, #4, #51 (1st year?)
TIP 4: Check CHRON list for last repeat date. If a repeat (@) was in past few days, not likely to have a repeat today.
See the Feedback page for lots of discussion!
F.A.Q.s
What are the numbers after each word?
These are the past answers in order starting with CIGAR #0, REBUT #1, SISSY #2, HUMPH #3, etc. Older answers are more likely to repeat than newer answers.
Why do some days have two answers?
When NYT bought Wordle from Josh Wardle, they made some edits to the list. The way the platform was built, some people would see the original word and some the new word on the same day. Those are footnoted with “a” and “b”. NYT fixed that issue within a few months.
Why does the list not update at midnight?
The list updates at 6 a.m. ET with yesterday’s word to give time for the Hawaii time zone to finish their day (night.) So the list does update at midnight (in Hawaii.)
What are the blue triangles?
These return you to the A-Z index. Helps jump down and back up the list. Thanks to Aitch & Bill for the idea!
If the answer is a repeat today, why can’t the list show that?
Because that is spoiler-ish. It would be a bit of a cheat to get future information and update the “past” answers list. I would have to set my computer to play in the future to go get that information.
I think you are missing a word on your list. I remember it being used before.
I routinely audit the list for accuracy and am glad to check, but there are a dozen or more of the Five Forks List users that keep me honest! You should see what happens when I key the sequence or date number wrong!