Wordle #1,852: The Puzzle That Left Players Speechless
Today’s Wordle is a doozy. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already realized that May 13’s answer is not your average five-letter word. According to the New York Times’ WordleBot, the average player completes Wordle #1,852 in 4.7 moves in easy mode, or 4.6 if playing by hard rules. But don’t let those numbers fool you—this puzzle is wreaking havoc on streaks everywhere.
We’ll give you some hints and the answer, but be warned: spoilers lie ahead for game #1,852. Only read on if you want to know today’s Wordle answer!
Today’s Hints: Three Levels of Clues
Level 1: Soft Hints (No Direct Spoilers)
Today’s Wordle answer is an archaic expression of contempt. It’s a word you’ve probably seen in old books or movies but rarely use in everyday conversation. The word contains one vowel and four consonants, making it a tricky puzzle for those who rely on vowel-heavy strategies.
Level 2: Intermediate Hints
The answer starts with the letter P. The single vowel is an A, which appears in the third position. This is not a word you’ll find in modern slang—think more along the lines of Shakespearean drama or old-timey cartoons.
Level 3: Advanced Hints
The word structure is P _ _ A _. The remaining letters are all consonants, and the word rhymes with “saw” but with a twist. Synonyms include “bah,” “humbug,” or “nonsense.” If you’ve ever heard someone dismiss an idea with a scoffing sound, this is the written version of that.
Difficulty Analysis: Why This Puzzle Hurts
| Factor | Level | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Letras Comunes | 3/10 | Only one of the 10 most common letters (A) appears, making initial guesses brutal. |
| Patrones | 2/10 | The consonant cluster PSH is rare and throws off pattern recognition. |
| Vocales | 1/10 | One vowel in an unusual position leaves players scrambling for alternatives. |
| Engaños | 8/10 | Words like PSST, PASH, and SHAW can trick you into dead ends. |
Step-by-Step Resolution Guide
I started with ORATE, my usual go-to because it contains all five of the most common Wordle letters. That didn’t do much good today, only turning ‘A’ yellow and leaving a massive 164 possible answers in play, according to WordleBot.
For my second turn, I played NAILS. It was moderately effective, turning ‘S’ yellow and ruling out ‘A’ in a second spot to leave seven options, according to WordleBot. Then I tried SCUBA to test both the ‘C’ from my hit list and ‘U’, the remaining outstanding vowel. Both were ruled out.
Now I was really struggling. I tried ASSAY next, which turned both my yellow letters green but still left me clueless. I must have spent ten minutes trying every possible combination of my remaining letters I could. Eventually, I dimly remembered seeing PSHAW in my list of WordleBot-approved answers from a past column and tried it.
I got it in five attempts. That felt like a victory, honestly.
Strategies Specific to This Puzzle
If you’re stuck on the first letter, stop guessing common consonants like R, T, or N. Today’s answer uses P, S, H, and W—all less common starters. If you’ve already confirmed the third letter is A, focus on the ending pattern. The combination of SH followed by AW is rare but consistent in archaic English. Avoid the temptation to guess words like SHAWL or SHALL, which have similar patterns but lead nowhere.
Interesting Statistical Data
The word PSHAW appears in approximately 0.0002% of all English texts, according to linguistic databases. It ranks near the bottom of the 2,309 possible Wordle answers in terms of frequency. Compared to yesterday’s puzzle, which used the common word STEAK, today’s answer is exponentially more obscure. Estimated player success rate for today is around 60%, meaning nearly four in ten players might break their streaks.
For the Curious: The Story Behind PSHAW
PSHAW dates back to the 16th century and is believed to be imitative of the sound of contemptuous spitting or scoffing. It appears in works by Shakespeare and Dickens, often used by characters dismissing something as trivial or absurd. In modern usage, you might see it in comic strips or historical fiction. Interestingly, the word has no direct equivalent in most Romance languages, which tend to use longer phrases to express similar disdain.
Yesterday’s Answer: Wordle #1,851
Yesterday’s puzzle was STEAK. Compared to today, it was a walk in the park. STEAK featured three common letters and a familiar pattern, making it significantly easier. If you missed yesterday’s answer, you can read the full breakdown here. The transition from an everyday food word to an archaic exclamation shows just how varied Wordle’s vocabulary can be.
General Strategy Tips for Future Puzzles
First, always start with a strong word that covers multiple common letters. ORATE, TARPS, and PLACE are solid choices. Second, don’t be afraid to guess unusual words when you’re down to a few options. If your gut says a word exists, check it—today’s answer proves that archaic words do appear. Third, pay attention to consonant clusters. The combination PSH is rare but not impossible, and recognizing these patterns can save you. Finally, if you’re stuck, try typing possible answers without pressing Enter. See how they look on screen; sometimes the visual cue triggers recognition.
Good luck with tomorrow’s puzzle, Wordlers. May your streaks stay intact.
