Wordle today, Sept. 14 -- When software engineer Josh Wardle first put Wordle together, it was not designed for the world. It was meant as a small game for his partner. The gift did not stay private for long. Wordle exploded almost overnight, turning into a global phenomenon with millions checking in every day to solve a five-letter mystery.

Fans built their own versions, putting different spins on the same guessing format. The game Squabble turned the idea into a head-to-head competition. Heardle swapped letters for music, asking players to recognize songs from short snippets. Then came Dordle and Quordle, which forced players to juggle multiple puzzles at once. Each new twist showed just how addictive the format could be.

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