Poople #177 Answer: ETCH to POOP
February 7, 2026 · Hard · 9 moves
Full solution
The shortest path from ETCH to POOP takes 9 moves.
Shortest path
- Step 1ETCHEACH2nd letter, T to A
- Step 2EACHMACH1st letter, E to M
- Step 3MACHMUCH2nd letter, A to U
- Step 4MUCHMUCK4th letter, H to K
- Step 5MUCKBUCK1st letter, M to B
- Step 6BUCKBOCK2nd letter, U to O
- Step 7BOCKBOOK3rd letter, C to O
- Step 8BOOKBOOP4th letter, K to P
- Step 9BOOPPOOP1st letter, B to P
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About this puzzle
Par 9 of 11. Rated Hard.
20 or more distinct shortest paths from ETCH to POOP.
ETCH connects to 2 other valid words.
The shortest routes split after move 3 and never agree again before POOP.
Harder than #176 (BUOY, par 6) by 3 move(s). #176 BUOY
Harder than #178 (GIGS, par 5) by 4 move(s). #178 GIGS
How the routes branch
Right after MACH, 4 different words keep the route just as short: MACE, MASH, MATH, MUCH. None of them rejoin the others before POOP.(Based on the 20+ shortest routes we found; more may exist.)
This ladder is a real mouth-mover! From "etch" to "poop" in nine steps, with "muck" as a surprisingly solid mid-point.
Bridge words
- ETCH(verb)
- To engrave a design onto a surface with acid or a sharp tool.
- EACH(determiner)
- Every one of two or more people or things, regarded individually.
- MACH(noun)
- The ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound.
- MUCH(adjective)
- a large amount or great extent of something
- MUCK(noun)
- dirt, filth, or waste matter; to remove dirt or refuse
- BUCK(noun)
- A male deer, or a sudden jump made by a horse.
- BOCK(noun)
- A strong dark German lager traditionally brewed for spring.
- BOOK(noun)
- A set of printed pages bound together for reading.
- BOOP(noun)
- A gentle playful tap, especially on the nose.
First moves from ETCH
ETCH has 2 legal first moves. Only one of them stays on a shortest path to POOP.
Stays on the shortest path: 8 moves left to POOP.
Costs two extra moves: 11 moves total to POOP.
Stuck on a different word?
Enter your current 4-letter word for the shortest path to POOP.
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Play todayFAQ
What is the Poople #177 answer?
The #177 start word is ETCH. One shortest path to POOP takes 9 moves: ETCH -> EACH -> MACH -> MUCH -> MUCK -> BUCK -> BOCK -> BOOK -> BOOP -> POOP.
Why is the par for ETCH to POOP so high at 9 moves?
The par is 9 moves because the starting word ETCH has only two valid neighbors, EACH and ITCH. This limits the initial options for players and forces a longer path to reach POOP.
Is it true that every solution for ETCH must pass through MACH?
Yes, every solution for ETCH must pass through MACH. After the first move from ETCH to EACH, all provided solution paths then proceed to MACH, indicating it’s a critical bridge word in this puzzle.
I'm stuck after my first move from ETCH to ITCH. Does this path lead to a dead end?
No, moving from ETCH to ITCH does not lead to a dead end. While it costs two extra moves compared to going to EACH, ITCH is a valid neighbor and can still reach POOP, just not in the shortest number of steps.
Are there many ways to solve this puzzle once I get past MACH?
Yes, there are at least 20 different ways to solve this puzzle once you reach MACH. From MACH, the paths split significantly, going through words like MACE, MASH, MATH, and MUCH, offering many routes to POOP.