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Today’s Wordle Hints (and Answer) for Thursday, August 8, 2024

If you’re looking for the Wordle answer for August 8, 2024 read on. We’ll share some clues, tips, and strategies, and finally the solution. Today’s puzzle is easier; I got it in three. Beware, there are spoilers below for August 8, Wordle #1,146! Keep scrolling if you want some hints (and then the answer) to today’s Wordle game.

How to play Wordle

Wordle lives here on the New York Times website. A new puzzle goes live every day at midnight, your local time.

Start by guessing a five-letter word. The letters of the word will turn green if they’re correct, yellow if you have the right letter in the wrong place, or gray if the letter isn’t in the day’s secret word at all. For more, check out our guide to playing Wordle here, and my strategy guide here for more advanced tips. (We also have more information at the bottom of this post, after the hints and answers.)

Ready for the hints? Let’s go!

Does today’s Wordle have any unusual letters?

We’ll define common letters as those that appear in the old typesetters’ phrase ETAOIN SHRDLU. (Memorize this! Pronounce it “Edwin Shirdloo,” like a name, and pretend he’s a friend of yours.)

There are three common letter from our mnemonic today. One letter is fairly common, and one is uncommon.

Can you give me a hint for today’s Wordle?

An adjective that can describe pasta or a bold remark.

Does today’s Wordle have any double or repeated letters?

There are no repeated letters today. 

How many vowels are in today’s Wordle?

There are two vowels and one “sometimes” vowel.

What letter does today’s Wordle start with?

Today’s word starts with S. 

What letter does today’s Wordle end with?

Today’s word ends with Y. 

What is the solution to today’s Wordle?

Ready? Today’s word is SAUCY.

How I solved today’s Wordle

I started with RAISE and TOUCH, which gave me all the information needed to guess SAUCY as the answer. 

Wordle 1,146 3/6

⬛🟩⬛🟨⬛
⬛⬛🟩🟩⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Yesterday’s Wordle answer

Yesterday’s Wordle was harder. The hint was “a colorful bird” and the answer contained two common letters, two fairly common letters, and one uncommon letter.

The answer to yesterday’s Wordle was MACAW.

A primer on Wordle basics

The idea of Wordle is to guess the day’s secret word. When you first open the Wordle game, you’ll see an empty grid of letters. It’s up to you to make the first move: type in any five-letter word. 

Now, you can use the colors that are revealed to get clues about the word: Green means you correctly guessed a letter, and it’s in the correct position. (For example, if you guess PARTY, and the word is actually PURSE, the P and R will be green.)

  • Yellow means the letter is somewhere in the word, but not in the position you guessed it. (For example, if you guessed PARTY, but the word is actually ROAST, the R, A and T will all be yellow.)

  • Gray means the letter is not in the solution word at all. (If you guessed PARTY and everything is gray, then the solution cannot be PURSE or ROAST.)

With all that in mind, guess another word, and then another, trying to land on the correct word before you run out of chances. You get six guesses, and then it’s game over.

The best starter words for Wordle

What should you play for that first guess? The best starters tend to contain common letters, to increase the chances of getting yellow and green squares to guide your guessing. (And if you get all grays when guessing common letters, that’s still excellent information to help you rule out possibilities.) There isn’t a single “best” starting word, but the New York Times’s Wordle analysis bot has suggested starting with one of these:

  • CRANE

  • TRACE

  • SLANT

  • CRATE

  • CARTE

Meanwhile, an MIT analysis found that you’ll eliminate the most possibilities in the first round by starting with one of these:

  • SALET

  • REAST

  • TRACE

  • CRATE

  • SLATE

Other good picks might be ARISE or ROUND. Words like ADIEU and AUDIO get more vowels in play, but you could argue that it’s better to start with an emphasis on consonants, using a starter like RENTS or CLAMP. Choose your strategy, and see how it plays out.

How to win at Wordle

We have a few guides to Wordle strategy, which you might like to read over if you’re a serious student of the game. This one covers how to use consonants to your advantage, while this one focuses on a strategy that uses the most common letters. In this advanced guide, we detail a three-pronged approach for fishing for hints while maximizing your chances of winning quickly.

The biggest thing that separates Wordle winners from Wordle losers is that winners use their guesses to gather information about what letters are in the word. If you know that the word must end in -OUND, don’t waste four guesses on MOUND, ROUND, SOUND, and HOUND; combine those consonants and guess MARSH. If the H lights up in yellow, you know the solution.

One more note on strategy: the original Wordle used a list of about 2,300 solution words, but after the game was bought by the NYT, the game now has an editor who hand-picks the solutions. Sometimes they are slightly tricky words that wouldn’t have made the original list, and sometimes they are topical. For example, FEAST was the solution one Thanksgiving. So keep in mind that there may be a theme.

Wordle alternatives

If you can’t get enough of five-letter guessing games and their kin, the best Wordle alternatives, ranked by difficulty, include:

USDA Assists Farmers, Ranchers, and Communities Affected by Hurricane Debby

WASHINGTON, August 7, 2024 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid recovery efforts for farmers, ranchers and residents affected by Hurricane Debby, which continues its track up the East Coast. USDA staff in offices across the country are ready to respond with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to producers and communities in need.

Food safety guidance:

Today’s Wordle Hints (and Answer) for Wednesday, August 7, 2024

If you’re looking for the Wordle answer for August 7, 2024 read on. We’ll share some clues, tips, and strategies, and finally the solution. Today’s puzzle is harder; I got it in five. Beware, there are spoilers below for August 7, Wordle #1,145! Keep scrolling if you want some hints (and then the answer) to today’s Wordle game.

How to play Wordle

Wordle lives here on the New York Times website. A new puzzle goes live every day at midnight, your local time.

Start by guessing a five-letter word. The letters of the word will turn green if they’re correct, yellow if you have the right letter in the wrong place, or gray if the letter isn’t in the day’s secret word at all. For more, check out our guide to playing Wordle here, and my strategy guide here for more advanced tips. (We also have more information at the bottom of this post, after the hints and answers.)

Ready for the hints? Let’s go!

Does today’s Wordle have any unusual letters?

We’ll define common letters as those that appear in the old typesetters’ phrase ETAOIN SHRDLU. (Memorize this! Pronounce it “Edwin Shirdloo,” like a name, and pretend he’s a friend of yours.)

There’s only one common letter from our mnemonic today (but it’s used twice). Two letters are fairly common, and one is uncommon.

Can you give me a hint for today’s Wordle?

A colorful bird.

Does today’s Wordle have any double or repeated letters?

There is one repeated letter today. 

How many vowels are in today’s Wordle?

There is one vowel, used twice.

What letter does today’s Wordle start with?

Today’s word starts with M. 

What letter does today’s Wordle end with?

Today’s word ends with W. 

What is the solution to today’s Wordle?

Ready? Today’s word is MACAW.

How I solved today’s Wordle

I started with RAISE and TOUCH, then guessed BLAND to eliminate remaining common consonants. This left a handful of possible solutions: I guessed WACKY first, which left MACAW as the only answer. 

Wordle 1,145 5/6

⬛🟩⬛⬛⬛
⬛⬛⬛🟨⬛
⬛⬛🟨⬛⬛
🟨🟩🟩⬛⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Yesterday’s Wordle answer

Yesterday’s Wordle was harder. The hint was “a metal object that sometimes falls on cartoon characters’ heads” and the answer contained four common letters and one uncommon letter.

The answer to yesterday’s Wordle was ANVIL.

A primer on Wordle basics

The idea of Wordle is to guess the day’s secret word. When you first open the Wordle game, you’ll see an empty grid of letters. It’s up to you to make the first move: type in any five-letter word. 

Now, you can use the colors that are revealed to get clues about the word: Green means you correctly guessed a letter, and it’s in the correct position. (For example, if you guess PARTY, and the word is actually PURSE, the P and R will be green.)

  • Yellow means the letter is somewhere in the word, but not in the position you guessed it. (For example, if you guessed PARTY, but the word is actually ROAST, the R, A and T will all be yellow.)

  • Gray means the letter is not in the solution word at all. (If you guessed PARTY and everything is gray, then the solution cannot be PURSE or ROAST.)

With all that in mind, guess another word, and then another, trying to land on the correct word before you run out of chances. You get six guesses, and then it’s game over.

The best starter words for Wordle

What should you play for that first guess? The best starters tend to contain common letters, to increase the chances of getting yellow and green squares to guide your guessing. (And if you get all grays when guessing common letters, that’s still excellent information to help you rule out possibilities.) There isn’t a single “best” starting word, but the New York Times’s Wordle analysis bot has suggested starting with one of these:

  • CRANE

  • TRACE

  • SLANT

  • CRATE

  • CARTE

Meanwhile, an MIT analysis found that you’ll eliminate the most possibilities in the first round by starting with one of these:

  • SALET

  • REAST

  • TRACE

  • CRATE

  • SLATE

Other good picks might be ARISE or ROUND. Words like ADIEU and AUDIO get more vowels in play, but you could argue that it’s better to start with an emphasis on consonants, using a starter like RENTS or CLAMP. Choose your strategy, and see how it plays out.

How to win at Wordle

We have a few guides to Wordle strategy, which you might like to read over if you’re a serious student of the game. This one covers how to use consonants to your advantage, while this one focuses on a strategy that uses the most common letters. In this advanced guide, we detail a three-pronged approach for fishing for hints while maximizing your chances of winning quickly.

The biggest thing that separates Wordle winners from Wordle losers is that winners use their guesses to gather information about what letters are in the word. If you know that the word must end in -OUND, don’t waste four guesses on MOUND, ROUND, SOUND, and HOUND; combine those consonants and guess MARSH. If the H lights up in yellow, you know the solution.

One more note on strategy: the original Wordle used a list of about 2,300 solution words, but after the game was bought by the NYT, the game now has an editor who hand-picks the solutions. Sometimes they are slightly tricky words that wouldn’t have made the original list, and sometimes they are topical. For example, FEAST was the solution one Thanksgiving. So keep in mind that there may be a theme.

Wordle alternatives

If you can’t get enough of five-letter guessing games and their kin, the best Wordle alternatives, ranked by difficulty, include:

Does Foam Rolling Actually Do Anything?

Foam rolling seemed to come out of nowhere maybe 15 or 20 years ago. It enjoyed a monumental level of popularity, feeling for a while like maybe it was mandatory if you wanted to train well. Many of the supposed benefits of foam rolling turned out to be myths, but foam rolling has stuck around as one of many tools we can use for recovery and mobility. Let’s separate fact from fiction. 

What is foam rolling? 

A foam roller is a cylinder, originally made of a slightly squishy foam, that you typically place on the floor. (The foam is similar to what a pool noodle is made of, but denser.) You then put a part of your body on top of the roller—say, your thigh—and move back and forth so that the cylinder (the foam roller) massages that part of you, assisted by the weight of your body pressing into it. 

321 STRONG Foam Roller, Orange

321 STRONG Foam Roller, Orange


$29.85
at Amazon

It’s basically a form of self-massage, and you can adjust the intensity of the massage by leaning into the roller (to make it feel more intense) or by supporting your body on a free arm or leg (to make it gentler).

Foam rollers are often about six inches in diameter, and may be as little as a foot long (for a mini roller) or two to three feet long for larger models. They also come in a variety of materials, including rollers that are textured, or that are stiffer or softer than the original foam type. 

When and how do you do foam rolling? 

Foam rolling is often done before a workout, as part of a warmup. You’ll foam roll the muscles that your workout is about to use, and/or the ones that the workout may slightly stretch. Foam rolling can also be done as a session on its own, and is often marketed as being for “recovery.” This means different things to different people, but it’s often thought to relieve feelings of muscle soreness. Let’s look at the myths and truths about foam rolling, and then return to the question of how best to use this tool. 

Foam rolling probably doesn’t break up “adhesions” 

One theory about foam rolling relates to the fascia surrounding our muscles. Fascia is a catchall term for the membranes that surround our muscles. There is a belief among some trainers and health professionals that areas of fascia can get stuck to each other or to our muscles, and that these stuck-together areas are called adhesions. 

In this theory, foam rolling is good for us because it breaks up those adhesions. In reality, scientists have not been able to find evidence that adhesions are real. Sure, your fascia can end up adhering to nearby tissues as a result of healing from surgery or trauma, but that’s not the same as the idea that your muscles are developing adhesions all the time from your daily life or from the exercise that you do, and that you need foam rolling or massage to release them. 

This theory is widespread enough that “self-myofascial release” is used as a synonym for foam rolling. But when scientists have looked for evidence that these adhesions exist or that foam rolling “releases” them, they’ve failed to find any. “The current evidence indicates that the term self-myofascial release is misleading and a misnomer,” concludes a 2019 article on the subject. That doesn’t mean that foam rolling is useless, just that the common explanation for what it’s doing in there is kind of just made up.

Foam rolling  probably helps mobility and flexibility

To be able to move well during a workout, you want some muscles to be warm and ready to contract; you also want some muscles to be supple and able to be stretched. (Some muscles, of course, fall into both categories.) The warmup phase of your workout exists to help accomplish these goals. 

There is evidence that foam rolling can increase the flexibility of a muscle in the short term, much like stretching can. Athletes often want to avoid static stretching (holding a stretch for several seconds) before working out, since stretching tends to decrease strength temporarily. Fortunately, foam rolling seems to help increase flexibility without causing those short-term dents to strength and power. (So does dynamic stretching, but that’s another story.) 

In some circles, the anti-foam-rolling pendulum has swung far enough that there are trainers saying it’s bad to work on mobility or flexibility before you exercise, because more flexibility isn’t always better. But a proper warmup is there, in part, to give you the flexibility you need to do your exercise safely and effectively. If you need to foam roll your calves to be able to bend your ankles enough to squat well, then that foam rolling (and even some static stretching!) is a good thing to do before a squat workout.

Foam rolling may help with soreness 

It’s probably best to think of foam rolling as a type of massage. The evidence on massage for muscle soreness and recovery is mixed, but many people do seem to find that foam rolling helps to relieve soreness; the scientific evidence backs that up, at least somewhat. Foam rolling may help by making you less sensitive to pain, which is not necessarily the same as helping you recover faster, but the bottom line is the important part—people foam roll because it feels good. 

And that’s the lesson to take away from this, I think. If foam rolling makes you feel better when you have a “knot” in your muscle, or if it helps relieve soreness so you can get on with your workout routine, then it’s worth doing whether it’s actually releasing adhesions or not. 

As for using a foam roller in a workout warmup, I’d treat it the same way as any other warmup component, like static stretching or pre-lifting cardio: audition it, and see if it helps you to feel more ready for the main part of your workout. If it helps, keep it. And if it doesn’t, ditch it in favor of something that does work for you.

This Budget-Friendly Keurig Machine Is 30% Off Right Now

If you are like me and appreciate a no-fuss coffee brewing experience, then you might like the convenience, simplicity, and speed of the Keurig K-Express Single Serve Coffee Maker, which is on sale for $62.99 (down from its original $89.99) on Amazon right now.

Keurig K-Express Coffee Maker

Keurig K-Express Coffee Maker


$62.99
at Amazon

$89.99
Save $27.00

The K-Express has a pretty straightforward interface and looks easy to use. Pop in a K-Cup pod, choose from three sizes—8, 10, or 12 ounces—and hit start. In a minute or two, the coffee is ready. One reviewer claimed it brews an eight-ounce cup in under a minute—which sounds lovely for those groggy mornings when waiting feels like an eternity. Also, the machine is “brew your own ground coffee” compatible, if you prefer using reusable K-Cup pods. And, if you need an extra boost in the morning to take on the day, the K-Express’ “strong brew” feature makes the coffee extra rich and bold.

Of course, no product is perfect. This coffee maker has a 42-ounce water reservoir, which is smaller than some of the others out there—so you might need to refill it more often, especially if you drink multiple cups a day. It’s a minor inconvenience but still manageable overall. Also, its mostly plastic build might not feel as premium as higher-end machines, but for the price, it makes sense.

When compared against other models like the Keurig K-Elite or the Nespresso Vertuo, the K-Express holds its own pretty well. The K-Elite has a larger water reservoir and some fancy features like iced coffee settings, but it comes with a higher price tag. The K-Express, while more basic, provides all the essential features at a fraction of the cost. The Nespresso Vertuo, known for its espresso-like brews, uses pods that can be pricier and harder to find compared to the widely available K-Cups used in K-Express.

This App Brings Back That Classic Mac Menu Bar Look

There was a time when Apple wasn’t afraid to play around with design. Mac apps used to look like they were made of stainless steel for some reason, and the operating system’s interface had all kinds of neat “3-D” elements. That’s all been left behind—in the current era, applications are generally just kind of flat, a real contrast from two decades ago. Recent versions of the macOS menu bar don’t even have a drop shadow; it just kinda blends in with the wallpaper.

Lickable Menu Bar is a completely free application that aims to turn back the clock on your Mac, visually speaking. It allows you to choose between three different retro menu bar styles. There’s the matte look of Mavericks, from 2013; the flat-but-with-drop-shadow look of 2019’s Catalina; and the glossy look of Tiger, which came out way back in 2005. Swap between them for a jolt of nostalgia, and marvel at how different macOS (or OS X, if you’re an OG) used to look.

A screenshot of the application, which shows off three menu bar styles: Mavericks, Catalina, and Tiger. The window itself is styled to look like something from 2005.

Credit: Justin Pot

The application is simple enough to use. You just open it up and pick the menu bar style you prefer. (The design of the program window itself resembles a Mac app from 2005, which is a nice touch.) You can optionally set the app to launch every time you log into your Mac—just be sure to also uncheck the “Show this window on launch” option if you do, unless you also want to choose a different menu bar style to fit your temporal mood every time your Mac resets (no judgement if so).

Nothing about this application is going to change your life. It’s not even one of those weird Mac apps that are actually kind of useful, because I really can’t think of a use for it, aside from improving the vibes on your machine. Which maybe is useful after all.

My Must-Have Storage Solutions for Every Room

I can—and do—go on forever about the unique storage options you have for each room of your home. Every room could benefit from a variety of containers and tools, but I understand that can be overwhelming. You might not be ready to or even want to buy a whole organizational haul for every room, but you can start small.

In my opinion, these are the essential storage solutions every room needs, if you’re not quite ready to go all in.

The kitchen: Under-sink organizers

In the kitchen, you need to organize your fridge, spice cabinet, pantry, silverware drawer, and more, but if you’re going to pick one thing to focus on, let it be the mess under the sink. That’s one place where you really do just toss cleaning supplies and large items, but it can be tamed pretty easily. I suggest these pull-out shelves, $33.99 for a set of two.

Pull-Out Under Sink Organizer, 2-Pack

Under Sink Organizer, 2 Packs 2 Tier Under Sink Organizers and Storage, Slide out Pull out Cabinet Organizer Shelf


$33.99
$45.99
Save $12.00

They nestle in that cabinet under the sink, giving you two tiers of storage space that separate different categories of items, They also pull out like drawers, so you can easily access whatever you need, even if it’s in the back.

The bedroom: Under-bed storage

The bedroom is another spot where you have plenty of options for maximizing your storage, but if you don’t want to mess with your closets or invest in a bunch of compartmentalized units, at least go for under-bed storage. Using storage containers that slide under the bed is a great way to keep out-of-season items (think coats or special occasion attire) out of your closet, so the closet is more organized on its own. You can also use these in lieu of a linen closet if you’re tight on space for bedding and towels. It doesn’t have to be pricy, either. This set of four under-bed storage containers is just $25.99.

The living room: A storage ottoman

I am the world’s biggest fan of storage furniture, which provides you the opportunity to keep your items out of the way while still looking chic and, in most cases, totally undetectable. The best and easiest example of this in action comes in the form of the humble storage ottoman. You have plenty of options depending on your price range and personal taste, too. A cheap square one can go for as low as $25.99, while spending $72.99 can net you a tufted, circular one with smart little legs.

Upholstered Round Velvet Tufted Foot Rest Ottoman

Homepop Home Decor | Upholstered Round Velvet Tufted Foot Rest Ottoman


$72.99

What you do with the one you choose is up to you, but they work great for storing extra blankets, concealing remotes or toys, or even holding other out-of-season items that don’t fit in the hall closet, like boots or scarves.

The bathroom: Over-toilet storage

I’ve mentioned over-toilet storage before because it’s a true godsend in tight spaces. Whether you need it to organize cosmetics and personal care items or for more practical things like towels and toilet paper, these turn the wasted space above your toilet into multi-level shelving miracles. Again, this is something that is available at different price points. Personally, I have a cheap metal one like this ($26.35), but if you want to class up the place, there are beautiful wooden cabinets available in the area of $149.

Organize Your Home by Treating It Like a Retail Store

Scrolling through TikTok and Reels can often feel like a waste of time, but today, I found a winner: Christen Fackler, a professional organizer who offers advice on clearing out both your home and your mind, suggests thinking of your home like a store for maximum organization, calling upon the same methods you’d use to handle inventory if you worked in retail.

Why think of your home like a store?

According to Fackler, this tip boils down to how a retail business is run, utilizing backstock and replenishment areas. Typically, these are store rooms or warehouses that serve to hold onto stock that isn’t out on the display floor, but can easily be moved out there when something sells and its slot needs to be filled up for the next customer.

In your home, then, you also have backstock and replenishment areas. Fackler uses the bathroom as an example: Your bathroom might be the store and so, your display areas are your shelving, mirrors, and cabinets. Your backstock in this scenario is the cabinet where the bulk of your bathroom items are actually stored. Think of other examples around your living space: Your spice cupboard is full of spices and small bottles, but you have extra salt, baking supplies, and other goods in your pantry. There’s a set of sheets on the bed and a towel in the bathroom, but plenty more in the linen closet.

What drew me to this method on first watch was that Fackler compared the approach to my personal favorite organizing method, decanting. When you decant your store-bought goods into more uniform, reusable containers, you save space and can more readily see when something needs to be replaced. The same thinking guides the “backstock” idea.

How to use this organizing technique

Often, I recommend the Organizational Triangle as a set of rules to follow when organizing your home, especially the requirements that you store similar items together and make sure everything has a designated spot. Reframing your perception of your home to be more like a store and incorporating backstock areas is the one time I’ll say you can be a little lax with the Organizational Triangle, but that comes with a caveat: This method is best suited for homes where you have plenty of storage space and front-facing, accessible space.

If that applies to you, start incorporating this method to see how it works for you. Select the most frequently used items in each category, like aspirin from your medicine stash, your favorite herbs in your spice collection, etc. Move those to easily accessible spots, then keep the lesser-used items put away in cabinets, a storage room, a pantry, or someplace more out of the way. Whenever you buy a new version of one of these high-need items, stick it in that backstock area and then when you run out up front on your “sales floor,” be sure to check backstock before buying anew. This also works for things you don’t always have to repurchase, like clothes. Your work clothes and mainstays can be readily available in the closet while the lesser-worn items, like special occasion attire, can be stored somewhere like under the bed or in an attic, keeping the closet less cluttered.

Organizing this way, with your most sought-out items stored away from the bulk and easy to access, will help you keep an eye on what needs replenishing, either from your stock pile or the store, and will also keep your front-facing areas tidier. As ever, use storage containers in both your backstock and front-facing areas to ensure the most organization possible.