"Four Letter Words"

[BrianMac]

Good morning and welcome to another addition of Muggle Meta Monday. This week's puzzle is called "Four Letter Words." The answer to the meta is the two grid entries that combine to complete the theme.

Four Letter Words.puz

Four Letter Words.pdf

We are running pretty low on Muggle puzzles, so if anyone has a meta puzzle they made or are working on (I am happy to help) that they would like to contribute to the Monday puzzle, please let me know. My own constructing has slowed down a bit, and I had to dig this puzzle out from the back of the cupboard. I did not have a chance to send to any test-solvers, so hopefully there are not too many errors and the meta is fair. Just in case, I am included an alternate version that is slightly easier.

Four Letter Words (ez).puz

Four Letter Words (ez).pdf

One of the reasons this one never saw the light of day is that I'm pretty sure I've seen this exact mechanism in a previous WSJ or MGWCC meta. I have searched but have not been able to find such a puzzle. Nonetheless, the meta mechanism just gives me serious deja-vu. So if it's familiar to you, please accept my apologies and know that any misappropriation is unintentional.

You can PM me answers and I will post a hint and a leaderboard on Wednesday. Thanks for solving and good luck!

[Joe Ross]

20201026 MMM BrianMac - Four Letter Words - Excel form


20201026 MMM BrianMac - Four Letter Words EZ - Excel form

[RPardoe]

Answer submitted (and confirmed).

A bit surprised to hear I was the first correct answer.

[oldjudge]

Can I guess that the answer to 64A is not Cam Newton?

[Bob cruise director]

Can I guess that the answer to 64A is not Cam Newton?

Clearly Brian has not been watching the Pats this year

[Al Sisti]

Can I guess that the answer to 64A is not Cam Newton?

Clearly Brian has not been watching the Pats this year

Can we not talk about quarterbacks please? I'm a Cowboys fan...

[oldjudge]

I think there are two reasonable solutions to this, each arrived at by an entirely different method. Brian’s is more elegant, but I think they both fit with no stretching.

[Bob cruise director]

Can I guess that the answer to 64A is not Cam Newton?

Clearly Brian has not been watching the Pats this year

Can we not talk about quarterbacks please? I'm a Cowboys fan...

For a case of Guinness, you can have Cam Newton

[oldjudge]

Are you giving me the case to take Newton? I’m a Giant fan; you guys have nothing to bitch about. Having said that, it could be worse. I could root for the JETS, JETS, JETS.

[Al Sisti]

Clearly Brian has not been watching the Pats this year

Can we not talk about quarterbacks please? I'm a Cowboys fan...

For a case of Guinness, you can have Cam Newton

Give me his wardrobe and with the profits, I could afford Brady!

[Cindy]

I believe I have it.

[Abide]

Very nice fill, but stymied on the meta at present.

[Dplass]

Can I guess that the answer to 64A is not Cam Newton?

Wait, I don't have a 64A... am I doing the wrong puzzle?

[Abide]

I think he meant 62A ....

[Dplass]

I think he meant 62A ....

I think I liked it better when I thought I was doing the wrong puzzle...

[Meg]

I have it, though I did not arrive at the finish line by myself. It’s amazing the things your eyes refuse to see.

[Beth Tyrpin]

🛋

[ChrisKochmanski]

Off the couch!

Though I needed another solver to tell me I was getting close and keep me on the right track.

UPDATE: In confirming my correct answer, Brian pointed out a fun aspect of the puzzle I didn't see, even while getting to the right answer. It's not necessary to solving (so don't sweat it if this comment seems murky), but if you DO see it, it can double the satisfaction of your aha.

[boharr]

I was yanked off the couch!

[whimsy]

Bending over backwards to get this but no luck yet --