Language models vs. the daily word puzzle

Models
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Fri, Aug 21, 2026

8 models played this puzzle

THINGS MOST ANIMALS NEEDNUTRITION, OXYGEN, SLEEP, WATER
CALLS TO BEGIN A PERFORMANCEACTION, CURTAIN UP, PLACES, SHOWTIME
___ KIDSCOMEBACK, KARATE, SUNDANCE, WIMPY
ONCE IN A ___BLUE MOON, GENERATION, LIFETIME, WHILE

claude-haiku-4.5

anthropic/claude-haiku-4.5

Lost4 mistakes2/4 categories7 guesses1 invalid12s wait8.6k tokens$0.011
OXYGEN
WATER
SLEEP
NUTRITION
CURTAIN UP
SHOWTIME
ACTION
PLACES
LIFETIME
KARATE
BLUE MOON
WHILE
SUNDANCE
GENERATION
COMEBACK
WIMPY

Guess history

Guess 1OXYGEN · WATER · SLEEP · NUTRITIONCorrect1.7s

These are four basic human needs or essentials required for survival and health. All are fundamental requirements for living organisms to thrive.

Latency
1.7s
Tokens
622(569 in / 53 out)
Cost
$0.0008
Guess 2CURTAIN UP · SHOWTIME · ACTION · PLACESCorrect2.1s

These are all phrases that can follow 'LIGHTS' - 'lights curtain up', 'lights showtime', 'lights action', and 'lights places' are common directorial or theatrical commands. More specifically, they are all common exclamations or commands used in theater and film production.

Latency
2.1s
Tokens
818(725 in / 93 out)
Cost
$0.0012
Guess 3COMEBACK · BLUE MOON · LIFETIME · WHILEWrong1.7s

These can all precede the word 'KID' - 'Comeback Kid', 'Blue Moon Kid', 'Lifetime Kid', and 'While Kid'. More specifically, they are all phrases that can be followed by 'KID' to form common expressions or titles.

Latency
1.7s
Tokens
1.0k(929 in / 90 out)
Cost
$0.0014
Guess 4KARATE · SUNDANCE · WIMPY · GENERATIONWrong1.7s

These can all be preceded by 'KID' - 'Karate Kid', 'Sundance Kid', 'Wimpy Kid', and 'Generation Kid'. These are all well-known movies or franchises with 'Kid' in the title.

Latency
1.7s
Tokens
1.2k(1.1k in / 88 out)
Cost
$0.0016
Guess 5COMEBACK · BLUE MOON · LIFETIME · WHILEInvalid1.7s

These are all words or phrases that can follow 'ONCE IN A' - 'once in a comeback', 'once in a blue moon', 'once in a lifetime', 'once in a while'. These are all common expressions meaning something happens rarely or infrequently.

Duplicate guess: ['COMEBACK', 'BLUE MOON', 'LIFETIME', 'WHILE']

Latency
1.7s
Tokens
1.4k(1.3k in / 90 out)
Cost
$0.0018
Guess 6KARATE · SUNDANCE · WIMPY · BLUE MOONWrong1.3s

These can all be preceded by 'KID' - 'Karate Kid', 'Sundance Kid', 'Wimpy Kid', and 'Blue Moon Kid'. These are all famous movie titles or franchises featuring 'Kid' in the name.

Latency
1.3s
Tokens
1.7k(1.6k in / 90 out)
Cost
$0.0020
Guess 7COMEBACK · GENERATION · LIFETIME · WHILEWrong1.4s

These can all follow 'ONCE IN A' to form common expressions - 'once in a comeback', 'once in a generation', 'once in a lifetime', 'once in a while'. These phrases all describe something that happens rarely or infrequently.

Latency
1.4s
Tokens
1.8k(1.8k in / 85 out)
Cost
$0.0022

claude-sonnet-5

anthropic/claude-sonnet-5

Solved0 mistakes4 guesses29s wait6.0k tokens$0.022
COMEBACK
KARATE
SUNDANCE
WIMPY
BLUE MOON
GENERATION
LIFETIME
WHILE
NUTRITION
OXYGEN
SLEEP
WATER
ACTION
CURTAIN UP
PLACES
SHOWTIME

Guess history

Guess 1COMEBACK · KARATE · SUNDANCE · WIMPYCorrect10s

These all precede 'KID' - Comeback Kid, Karate Kid, Sundance Kid, and Wimpy Kid (Diary of a Wimpy Kid). This is the most specific and distinctive pattern, so I'll start with this group.

Latency
10s
Tokens
1.4k(782 in / 653 out)
Cost
$0.0081
Guess 2BLUE MOON · GENERATION · LIFETIME · WHILECorrect8.2s

These all follow 'Once in a ___' - once in a blue moon, once in a generation, once in a lifetime, once in a while - all meaning rare occurrences.

Latency
8.2s
Tokens
1.4k(1.1k in / 342 out)
Cost
$0.0055
Guess 3NUTRITION · OXYGEN · SLEEP · WATERCorrect6.6s

These are basic survival needs, while ACTION, CURTAIN UP, PLACES, SHOWTIME are all phrases signaling a performance is about to begin.

Latency
6.6s
Tokens
1.5k(1.3k in / 203 out)
Cost
$0.0047
Guess 4ACTION · CURTAIN UP · PLACES · SHOWTIMECorrect3.7s

These are all phrases signaling a performance or scene is about to begin - the last remaining group.

Latency
3.7s
Tokens
1.7k(1.6k in / 76 out)
Cost
$0.0040

gemini-3.5-flash-lite

google/gemini-3.5-flash-lite

Run in progress

ACTION
CURTAIN UP
PLACES
SHOWTIME
LIFETIME
WATER
KARATE
BLUE MOON
OXYGEN
WHILE
SUNDANCE
NUTRITION
SLEEP
GENERATION
COMEBACK
WIMPY

Guess history

Guess 1ACTION · CURTAIN UP · PLACES · SHOWTIMECorrect990ms

These are calls or cues given right before a theatrical performance begins.

Latency
990ms
Tokens
469(426 in / 43 out)
Cost
$0.0002
Guess 2COMEBACK · GENERATION · LIFETIME · SUNDANCEWrong1.0s

These are all well-known film festivals.

Latency
1.0s
Tokens
590(548 in / 42 out)
Cost
$0.0003
Guess 3COMEBACK · GENERATION · LIFETIME · SUNDANCEInvalid1.2s

These are all well-known television networks (or film festivals like Sundance, but let's see if this fits).

Duplicate guess: ['COMEBACK', 'GENERATION', 'LIFETIME', 'SUNDANCE']

Latency
1.2s
Tokens
726(669 in / 57 out)
Cost
$0.0003
Guess 4BLUE MOON · COMEBACK · GENERATION · LIFETIMEWrong1.0s

These are all cable television networks.

Latency
1.0s
Tokens
874(834 in / 40 out)
Cost
$0.0004
Guess 5BLUE MOON · GENERATION · LIFETIME · SUNDANCEWrong956ms

These are all television networks.

Latency
956ms
Tokens
987(953 in / 34 out)
Cost
$0.0004

gemini-3.7-flash

google/gemini-3.7-flash

Solved0 mistakes4 guesses13s wait3.5k tokens$0.0055
BLUE MOON
GENERATION
LIFETIME
WHILE
COMEBACK
KARATE
SUNDANCE
WIMPY
NUTRITION
OXYGEN
SLEEP
WATER
ACTION
CURTAIN UP
PLACES
SHOWTIME

Guess history

Guess 1BLUE MOON · GENERATION · LIFETIME · WHILECorrect4.9s

Words that complete the phrase 'Once in a ___'

Latency
4.9s
Tokens
917(426 in / 491 out)
Cost
$0.0022
Guess 2COMEBACK · KARATE · SUNDANCE · WIMPYCorrect3.2s

Words that can be followed by 'KID'

Latency
3.2s
Tokens
848(560 in / 288 out)
Cost
$0.0015
Guess 3NUTRITION · OXYGEN · SLEEP · WATERCorrect2.1s

Basic physiological needs for human survival

Latency
2.1s
Tokens
797(697 in / 100 out)
Cost
$0.0009
Guess 4ACTION · CURTAIN UP · PLACES · SHOWTIMECorrect2.5s

Calls/cues to begin a performance or filming

Latency
2.5s
Tokens
921(837 in / 84 out)
Cost
$0.0009

gpt-4.1

openai/gpt-4.1

Solved0 mistakes4 guesses6.5s wait2.8k tokens$0.0075
NUTRITION
OXYGEN
SLEEP
WATER
ACTION
CURTAIN UP
PLACES
SHOWTIME
COMEBACK
KARATE
SUNDANCE
WIMPY
BLUE MOON
GENERATION
LIFETIME
WHILE

Guess history

Guess 1NUTRITION · OXYGEN · SLEEP · WATERCorrect1.8s

These four are all basic necessities for human survival. Nutrition (food), oxygen (air), sleep, and water are things humans cannot live without.

Latency
1.8s
Tokens
430(377 in / 53 out)
Cost
$0.0012
Guess 2ACTION · CURTAIN UP · PLACES · SHOWTIMECorrect1.4s

These four are all terms associated with the start of a performance, especially in theater. 'Action', 'Curtain Up', 'Places', and 'Showtime' all signal the beginning of a show.

Latency
1.4s
Tokens
583(521 in / 62 out)
Cost
$0.0015
Guess 3COMEBACK · KARATE · SUNDANCE · WIMPYCorrect1.9s

These four are all names of characters from the comic strip and movie 'Popeye'. 'Wimpy' is a character, and 'Sundance', 'Comeback', and 'Karate' can be paired with 'Kid' to form nicknames for boxers or fighters (e.g., Comeback Kid, Karate Kid, Sundance Kid), but more strongly, they are also names of 'Kids'—nicknames or characters. This could be a potential group relating to such nicknames.

Latency
1.9s
Tokens
807(681 in / 126 out)
Cost
$0.0024
Guess 4BLUE MOON · GENERATION · LIFETIME · WHILECorrect1.4s

These are all words that can follow the word 'ONCE IN A' to form common phrases: 'once in a blue moon', 'once in a generation', 'once in a lifetime', and 'once in a while'.

Latency
1.4s
Tokens
979(909 in / 70 out)
Cost
$0.0024

gpt-4.1-mini

openai/gpt-4.1-mini

Lost4 mistakes2/4 categories6 guesses19s wait5.5k tokens$0.0028
NUTRITION
OXYGEN
SLEEP
WATER
GENERATION
LIFETIME
WHILE
BLUE MOON
CURTAIN UP
KARATE
PLACES
SUNDANCE
SHOWTIME
COMEBACK
WIMPY
ACTION

Guess history

Guess 1CURTAIN UP · SHOWTIME · SUNDANCE · COMEBACKWrong2.0s

These words all relate to the theme of theater or performance. 'CURTAIN UP' and 'SHOWTIME' are directly associated with live performances. 'SUNDANCE' is a famous film festival, relating to shows. 'COMEBACK' can refer to a performer returning to the stage or screen.

Latency
2.0s
Tokens
462(377 in / 85 out)
Cost
$0.0003
Guess 2NUTRITION · OXYGEN · SLEEP · WATERCorrect2.7s

These four are essential requirements for human survival and health: nutrition, oxygen, sleep, and water.

Latency
2.7s
Tokens
677(592 in / 85 out)
Cost
$0.0004
Guess 3ACTION · CURTAIN UP · SHOWTIME · COMEBACKWrong2.5s

These words are related to theater, film, or performance. 'CURTAIN UP' and 'SHOWTIME' signal the start of a performance. 'ACTION' is a director's cue in filming. 'COMEBACK' can refer to a return of an actor or performer.

Latency
2.5s
Tokens
844(761 in / 83 out)
Cost
$0.0004
Guess 4KARATE · WIMPY · BLUE MOON · COMEBACKWrong3.7s

These words are associated with Popeye the Sailor Man: 'KARATE' (martial art), 'WIMPY' (a character), 'BLUE MOON' (reference to something rare or unusual), and 'COMEBACK' (often used in cartoons or stories). Alternatively, these could be idiomatic or character-related groups.

Latency
3.7s
Tokens
1.0k(947 in / 89 out)
Cost
$0.0005
Guess 5GENERATION · LIFETIME · WHILE · BLUE MOONCorrect6.7s

All these terms relate to time or duration: 'GENERATION' refers to a period in family lineage, 'LIFETIME' is the duration of life, 'WHILE' means a short period, and 'BLUE MOON' refers to a rare occurrence over time.

Latency
6.7s
Tokens
1.2k(1.1k in / 105 out)
Cost
$0.0006
Guess 6CURTAIN UP · SHOWTIME · SUNDANCE · ACTIONWrong1.5s

These words are associated with theater, film, or performances: 'CURTAIN UP' and 'SHOWTIME' signal start of a performance, 'SUNDANCE' is a film festival, and 'ACTION' is a directorial cue.

Latency
1.5s
Tokens
1.3k(1.2k in / 70 out)
Cost
$0.0006

grok-4.3

x-ai/grok-4.3

Solved0 mistakes4 guesses19s wait5.1k tokens$0.0072
COMEBACK
KARATE
SUNDANCE
WIMPY
BLUE MOON
GENERATION
LIFETIME
WHILE
ACTION
CURTAIN UP
PLACES
SHOWTIME
NUTRITION
OXYGEN
SLEEP
WATER

Guess history

Guess 1COMEBACK · KARATE · SUNDANCE · WIMPYCorrect8.2s

These can all precede 'Kid' (Comeback Kid, Karate Kid, Sundance Kid, Wimpy Kid).

Latency
8.2s
Tokens
1.4k(581 in / 800 out)
Cost
$0.0023
Guess 2BLUE MOON · GENERATION · LIFETIME · WHILECorrect6.2s

These complete the phrase 'once in a ___' (once in a blue moon, once in a generation, once in a lifetime, once in a while).

Latency
6.2s
Tokens
1.4k(720 in / 671 out)
Cost
$0.0020
Guess 3ACTION · CURTAIN UP · PLACES · SHOWTIMECorrect2.4s

These are all cues to begin a performance (Action!, Curtain up!, Places!, Showtime!).

Latency
2.4s
Tokens
1.1k(873 in / 192 out)
Cost
$0.0014
Guess 4NUTRITION · OXYGEN · SLEEP · WATERCorrect2.6s

These are all basic human needs or essentials for survival.

Latency
2.6s
Tokens
1.2k(1.0k in / 200 out)
Cost
$0.0016

glm-5.3-flash

z-ai/glm-5.3-flash

Solved0 mistakes4 guesses69s wait2.7k tokens$0.0005
NUTRITION
OXYGEN
SLEEP
WATER
BLUE MOON
GENERATION
LIFETIME
WHILE
ACTION
CURTAIN UP
PLACES
SHOWTIME
COMEBACK
KARATE
SUNDANCE
WIMPY

Guess history

Guess 1NUTRITION · OXYGEN · SLEEP · WATERCorrect17s

Basic needs of living things.

Latency
17s
Tokens
469(324 in / 145 out)
Cost
$0.0001
Guess 2BLUE MOON · GENERATION · LIFETIME · WHILECorrect46s

ONCE IN A ___.地

Latency
46s
Tokens
578(447 in / 131 out)
Cost
$0.0001
Guess 3ACTION · CURTAIN UP · PLACES · SHOWTIMECorrect3.1s

Calls to begin a performance or filming.

Latency
3.1s
Tokens
768(576 in / 192 out)
Cost
$0.0002
Guess 4COMEBACK · KARATE · SUNDANCE · WIMPYCorrect2.8s

All can precede KID: Comeback Kid, Karate Kid, Sundance Kid, Wimpy Kid.

Latency
2.8s
Tokens
862(712 in / 150 out)
Cost
$0.0002