Word Game: Jan. 22, 2026

Word Game Winners Struggle to Kick Nicotine Habit

The latest challenge from word game creator Kathleen Saxe has left participants scrambling to find 25 or more words hidden within the toxic liquid substance NICOTINE. With a time limit of just 25 minutes, contestants had to think fast to uncover as many words as possible.

Those who attempted the task yesterday faced an even more daunting challenge in the form of OUTRIGHT, which packed no fewer than eight words into its seemingly innocuous title. By deciphering the obscure etymology of each word hidden within, participants were able to discover a treasure trove of language skills.

For those eager to try their hand at the Word Game, a new book is now available for purchase online for just $5 while supplies last. The rules of the game are simple: words must be at least four letters long, and certain prefixes or suffixes can be added to existing words without penalty – but beware, as some combinations are off-limits.

In a bid to promote the game, Saxe has set up an email address where fans can reach out with suggestions for future challenges. Will you be able to rise to the challenge and join the ranks of word game winners? Only time (and a keen eye for language) will tell.
 
omg u guys i cant even believe how addicted i am to word games 🤯 i just tried the latest one from Kathleen Saxe and i swear my brain is still reeling from it 🤯 i had to do 3 cups of coffee and a cold shower to calm down after i finished lol. but seriously tho, the new challenge with NICOTINE was SO HARD!!! i only managed to find like 5 words 😅. has anyone else tried it? wanna collab and try to beat my score 🤔 btw just ordered that new book online for $5 cant wait to get it 📚👀
 
omg u guys! i'm like so impressed by Kathleen Saxe's new challenge 😂! trying to find words hidden in nicotine sounds like such a tough puzzle 🧩, and 8 words in OUTRIGHT is insane! 🤯 i love that she's encouraging people to try their hand at it too - $5 for the book is super affordable 💸. personally, i think my brain would be all over the place trying to decipher those obscure etymologies 🤯👀, but if u r up 4 the challenge, go 4 it! 👍
 
idk about this one 🤔... i mean, i love words & all, but struggling to kick nicotine habit just feels kinda off 🚭. like, isn't that more about quitting smoking than solving word puzzles? also, $5 seems kinda steep for a book, especially if its just gonna be a bunch of word searches and challenges 💸. still, sounds like fun if you're into that sorta thing 😊...
 
omg I'm literally dying over here I mean I thought the nicotine challenge was tough but OUTRIGHT is a whole different level!! 😲 I've been playing the game and honestly it's so cleverly done I love how they use obscure etymology to hide those words, it's like a treasure hunt for linguaphiles 🏹💡. I'm totally getting that book online right now can't wait to try my hand at it! 😄
 
I'm not surprised that some winners are struggling to quit nicotine 🤦‍♂️. I mean, we've all been there, right? One minute you're winning at word games, the next you're trying to escape the temptation of a cigarette break. But seriously, it's awesome that Kathleen Saxe is promoting her game and giving people a fun way to challenge themselves. And $5 for the book is a steal! I'd love to see some more wordplay challenges that incorporate everyday life, like finding words in social media posts or news headlines 📰. Can't wait to give it a try and show off my linguistic skills 😄.
 
OMG, I'm still trying to wrap my head around those OUTRIGHT challenges 🤯💡 I mean, who knew etymology could be so cool? 😎 Kathleen Saxe is like a genius or something! The way she hides words in plain sight (or in this case, toxic liquid) is pure magic ✨. I'm definitely gonna try out the new book and see how many words I can find - it's like a treasure hunt for language lovers 🏹💻
 
Back
Top