I was thinking about how important history is today and how I wish our education system was able to convey that better to kids. History is filled with drama, intrigue, epic battles and selfless sacrifice, evil megalomaniacs and courageous heroes. But very little of that comes through in our actual history classes, which seem designed to be boring, filled with a litany of dates and very little substance.
This isn’t a knock against history teachers who do the best they can with what they have to work with. I suppose I just think education in general should be more fun and entertaining. Get students to engage with the curriculum in a positive way and they might actually . . . learn something!
I’m a dreamer. I engage regularly with wishful thinking. We may not be able to change much about the world but we can always change how we think about it.
Alright, let’s do this Wordle!
How To Solve Today’s Word
The Hint: Near but not open.
The Clue: This word begins with a consonant.
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See yesterday’s Wordle #821 right here.
Wordle Bot Analysis
After each Wordle I solve I head over to the Wordle Bot homepage to see how my guessing game was.
Not great, not terrible. I thought heart would be a much better opening guess but it left me with 322 remaining options. Ouch. I picked another integral body part for my second guess. Spine slashed 322 down to nine (which rhymes!) and I was still at a loss as to what today’s Wordle could be.
I had two more vowels to choose from so I guessed a word that would cover both. Mouse eliminated ‘U’ and put the ‘S’ into a green box. At this point, I had had two words to choose from according to Wordle Bot but I could only think of one: close. Thankfully, that was the answer. Huzzah!
Today’s Score
Once again, I’ve been thwarted by the Wordle Bot. This is becoming far too common! My four guesses gets me zero points, and the Wordle Bot got today’s in just two! So that’s -1 total for yours truly. I wanted to say ‘close but no cigar’ but I wasn’t even close!
Today’s Wordle Etymology
The word “close” has a complex etymology with multiple meanings and origins. Here are some of the key aspects of its etymology:
- Old English: In its earliest form, “close” can be traced back to Old English. In Old English, it was spelled as “clōs,” and it meant “shut, closed, enclosed.” The word was used to describe something that was not open or accessible.
- Latin Influence: The Old English word “clōs” was influenced by Latin. The Latin word “clausus” means “shut” or “closed,” and it contributed to the development of the Old English term.
- Norman Conquest: After the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the English language underwent significant changes, and Norman French words and influences were introduced. The Old French word “clos” meant “enclosed” or “confined,” and it further influenced the development of the word “close” in English.
- Diverse Meanings: Over time, “close” evolved to have various meanings in English, including “near in space or time” and “to shut” or “to make inaccessible.” These meanings have been in use for centuries.
- Noun Form: The noun form of “close,” referring to a small enclosed area or a narrow passage between buildings, also developed over time. This sense of the word is used to describe small streets or alleys in some contexts.
Overall, the word “close” has a rich and varied etymology, with influences from Old English, Latin, and Old French. Its meanings have evolved and expanded over centuries, resulting in the versatile word we use today to describe proximity, shutting, or enclosure.
Play Competitive Wordle Against Me!
I’ve been playing a cutthroat game of PvP Wordle against my nemesis Wordle But. Now you should play against me! I can be your nemesis! (And your helpful Wordle guide, of course). You can also play against the Bot if you have a New York Times subscription.
- Here are the rules:
- 1 point for getting the Wordle in 3 guesses.
- 2 points for getting it in 2 guesses.
- 3 points for getting it in 1 guess.
- 1 point for beating me
- 0 points for getting it in 4 guesses.
- -1 point for getting it in 5 guesses.
- -2 points for getting it in 6 guesses.
- -3 points for losing.
- -1 point for losing to me
You can either keep a running tally of your score if that’s your jam or just play day-to-day if you prefer.
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