'Wheel Of Fortune' Contestant I'll Solve the Puzzle ... I GOT SCREWED!

It's time to play ... "WHEEL OF FORTUNE"!!!! Everybody ready? Great, the category is "Living Things"... now guess this phrase:

SE _EN S_ _ NS _ -S_ _ MM _ NG

Pretty easy right? Not if you were a contestant named Renee on Wednesday night's show -- who correctly solved the puzzle, but mispronounced "Seven Swans a-Swimming" ... as "Swimmin."

Turns out, no "g" ... meant no cash (which in Renee's case was thousands) -- because even though the letter was clearly on the board, Pat Sajak and the "Wheel" honchos quickly rejected the answer and moved on to the next player.

Not surprisingly, when the next contestant went to solve the game, she made sure to say "Swimming"
-- HARD G.

But ya gotta check out the tape, because during the EPIC rejection of an obviously correct answer ... Renee managed to grin and bear it, despite getting ROBBED ...

With a capital "R."

Pat Sajak I Was Drunk on 'Wheel of Fortune'

Pat Sajak used to be WASTED on "Wheel of Fortune" back in the 80s -- this according to the game show host himself.

Pat made the confession during an interview with Dan Le Batard -- claiming in the old days, he would down "two, three, or six" margaritas at a Mexican joint near NBC studios during the show's 2-hour dinner break ... before heading back to finish taping.

According to Pat, Vanna was also guilty of drinking on the job -- but they've since stopped the mid-show imbibing tradition.

Pat added, they were so drunk ... they would often "have trouble recognizing the alphabet."

Pat Sajak Tapes Tribute to 'Wheel' Announcer

Pat Sajak and Vanna White put in some extra time on the set of "Wheel of Fortune" this week-- shooting a tribute for the show's legendary announcer Charlie O'Donnell, who passed away Monday.

We're told Pat and Vanna each said some kind words about the 78-year-old TV veteran -- and gave an intro to a montage honoring their friend as well ... and it's all set to air during Friday's episode.

FYI -- O'Donnell worked on "Wheel" for 28 years.

Old news is old news!
Be First!

Get TMZ breaking news sent right to your browser!