Poople #331 Answer: KICK to POOP
July 11, 2026 · Easy · 5 moves
Full solution
Reveal one hint at a time to keep the challenge, or jump straight to the full shortest path from KICK to POOP.
About this puzzle
Par 5 of 11. Rated Easy.
2 distinct shortest path(s) from KICK to POOP.
KICK connects to 9 other valid words.
The shortest routes split after move 1 and never agree again before POOP.
Easier than #330 (WARS, par 6) by 1 move(s). #330 WARS
Easier than #332 (WART, par 6) by 1 move(s). #332 WART
How the routes branch
Right after KICK, 2 different words keep the route just as short: HICK, LICK. None of them rejoin the others before POOP.
This kick-to-poop ladder plays a quick game of musical chairs with its vowels. The middle is a real hock-ey stick, if you catch my drift.
Bridge words
- KICK(verb)
- strike or propel something with the foot
- HICK(noun)
- An unsophisticated, uncultured person from a rural area.
- HOCK(noun)
- joint of a quadruped's hind leg, corresponding to the human ankle
- HOOK(noun)
- A curved piece of metal or other material used for catching or holding things.
- HOOP(noun)
- A circular band or ring of metal or wood.
First moves from KICK
KICK has 9 legal first moves. 2 of them stay on a shortest path to POOP.
Stays on the shortest path: 4 moves left to POOP.
Costs one extra move: 6 moves total to POOP.
Costs two extra moves: 7 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 #331 answer?
The #331 start word is KICK. One shortest path to POOP takes 5 moves: KICK -> HICK -> HOCK -> HOOK -> HOOP -> POOP.
Are there any other short solutions besides the two listed?
No, there are only two shortest solutions for KICK today. Both paths, KICK to LICK to LOCK to LOOK to LOOP to POOP and KICK to HICK to HOCK to HOOK to HOOP to POOP, are 5 moves long.
Why does the word KINK cost two extra moves if it's a valid first move from KICK?
The first move KINK adds two extra moves to the solution, making it longer than the par. While KINK is a valid word, it doesn’t lead to a shortest path to POOP like HICK or LICK do.
What is special about the words HICK and LICK in this puzzle?
HICK and LICK are the only two first moves from KICK that lead to the shortest solutions. All other valid first moves from KICK, such as DICK, NICK, PICK, SICK, TICK, WICK, or KINK, result in a longer path to POOP.
What does the word HOCK mean, as it appears in one of the shortest solutions?
HOCK refers to the joint of a quadruped’s hind leg, which corresponds to the human ankle. This word is part of the solution path KICK -> HICK -> HOCK -> HOOK -> HOOP -> POOP.