It is Wednesday, and we are halfway through the week. If Waffle Game #1426 for 17 December is causing you a headache, do not worry. Today’s grid features a delicious Italian ingredient and a few double letters that might trip you up.
If you are running low on swaps or just want to secure that gold star, here is the breakdown for today’s puzzle, from gentle nudges to the full solution.
Table of Contents
📊 Today’s Letter Analysis
Today’s grid is surprisingly balanced, but watch out for the repeated consonants. Identifying the corners is key today.
- A: There are 3 of them.
- E: There are 3.
- P: There are 3 (a high count for this letter!).
- D, L, O, R, T: There are 2 of each.
- Unique Consonants: S, W, C, N.
Top Tip: With three Ps on the board, try to locate them early. One starts a word in the top-left, and another ends a word in the bottom-middle.
🧩 Spoiler-Free Hints for Waffle #1426
Need a clue without the full reveal? Try these definition-based hints to jog your memory.
Horizontal Word Hints:
- Row 1: A green sauce made from basil, pine nuts, and parmesan.
- Row 3: A prize or honour given for an accomplishment.
- Row 5: To become gradually narrower at one end; to diminish.
Vertical Word Hints:
- Col 1: A living organism that uses photosynthesis (not an animal).
- Col 3: The skin covering the top of the head.
- Col 5: Stranger; more unusual than something else.
⚠️ Waffle 1426 Solution (Spoilers Below)
Are you down to your last swap? Here are the answers for today’s game.
| Position | Word |
| Horizontal 1 | PESTO |
| Horizontal 2 | AWARD |
| Horizontal 3 | TAPER |
| Vertical 1 | PLANT |
| Vertical 2 | SCALP |
| Vertical 3 | ODDER |
🧠 Word Origins & Definitions
Today’s dictionary entries include some excellent puns. Here is what the words mean:
- PESTO(Noun): A sauce originating from Genoa, made from basil and garlic.
- Example: “Rodents keep getting in and eating all our basil; I’m going to call pesto control.”
- AWARD(Noun): A trophy or medal denoting accomplishment.
- Origin: From the Anglo-Norman awarder, meaning to observe or guard.
- TAPER(Verb): To make thinner or narrower at one end.
- Example: “The villainous green goggling glasses deceitfully tapered downwards to a cheating bottom.”
- SCALP(Noun): The top of the head or skull.
- Fun Fact: “I shaved my head and got a bunny rabbit tattoo on my scalp; it looks quite convincing as hare.”
- ODDER(Adjective): The comparative form of odd.
- Origin: From the Old Norse oddi, meaning a triangle or “third number”.
🧇 Play the Game
Ready to apply these hints? Head over to the official site to play today’s puzzle: Play Waffle Game
Good luck, and see you tomorrow for Waffle #1427!
🔙 Missed Yesterday’s Puzzle?
Did you miss the tricky double ‘R’s from Tuesday? If you are catching up on your streak or want to verify your answers from the previous game, you can view the full hints and solution for Waffle 1425 (16 December) here.