A former “Jeopardy!” contestant has spoken up about an inappropriate clue.

Heather Ryan, who participated in an episode of the game show on October 28, told the Binghamton University student publication, Pipe Dream, that one particular hint made her feel “a bit awkward.”

The host, Ken Jennings, presented the clue: “Men seldom make passes at…,” with the answer being “Girls who wear glasses.” Ryan was the only woman among the contestants and happened to be wearing glasses at the time. Jennings expressed regret for the clue afterward.

“It was certainly an unusual choice. It made the audience, as well as everyone on stage, including Ken Jennings, a little uncomfortable. It felt like an unexpected moment. Perhaps we should aim for better rhyming choices in 2024,” she remarked.

Following the incident, Jennings commented, “That was a bit problematic, my apologies, Heather,” referring to Ryan. The origin of the clue can be traced back to a 1920s poem, “Men,” from the poetry collection “Enough Rope” by noted poet Dorothy Parker.

YSL News has reached out to representatives of “Jeopardy” for their response.

Ryan remarked: “Sadly, there are still girls in middle school who feel pressured not to wear their glasses, which affects their education. Honestly, it’s far more beneficial to be able to see than anything else.”

As reported by the J! Archive, which tracks “Jeopardy” contestant earnings, Ryan won $19,600 in second place but lost to Ian Taylor, a Cleveland food sales rep, by just $1.

Despite the uncomfortable situation, Ryan expressed that her “Jeopardy” experience was “great fun,” stating, “Everyone was very welcoming.” She and Taylor competed against four-day champion Will Wallace, a video game designer from Austin, Texas. The three have remained in touch since the airing of their episode, according to Pipe Dream.

“It’s such a big part of American culture that I absolutely wanted to participate when I received the opportunity,” Ryan shared, explaining that she filmed the episode in Los Angeles during the summer of this year.

This story has been updated with additional information.