"AP English" - January 8, 2021

[Laura M]

Still filling out the grid here, but I found myself so outraged about one of the clues that I couldn't sit and finish without commenting first. (I don't think this is any way related to the meta, but I'll put a spoiler over it in case people don't want to read about the grid before they finish.) 21A is completely inappropriate. That is not funny - that is not a pun you get to just put a ? after and call it a day. People who are starving are not fasting. As food insecurity rises across the country, this is appalling to see in the WSJ crossword. I may just not finish and break my more than year long streak in protest of this. It's possible yesterday has put me more on edge than I would normally be, but this is simply not okay regardless.

Full disclosure: I thought this was a pretty clever clue, or at least I did. I now see your point, but I think it's very likely that the constructors/editors interpreted it as I did initially, without thinking it through. You should definitely make your viewpoint known so that they can be more aware next time. And of course, whether or not to do (or contribute) WSJ crosswords is completely your choice, but. I like to think that the vast majority of the crossword community are reasonable human beings who might make mistakes, but who will try to do better when they are respectfully corrected, and who deserve second (and maybe third and fourth, etc.) chances. There's enough anger in the rest of the world.

[Thurman8er]

That was easy! Ashore!

Hey, you all stay safe and stay strong, okay? The nights can be dark, but joy comes in the morning.

[steveb]

On Shore.
Now that we've begun the 2021 meta calendar year, wondering if anyone wants to reminisce and post their most memorable Aha! (solved or not...) from 2020's great collection?

I don't necessarily have an outstanding favorite from 2020, but one of my all-time favorites was "Mystery Woman" from 12/15/17. I thought it was brilliantly constructed, although you might need to have already guessed the answer in order to solve the meta. That was the case for me, anyway.

[Franklin.Bluth]

[stet]

[Bob Kerfuffle]

I'm rather new here, so I will say I am on shore, but I feel as if I am sitting under a palm tree full of ripe coconuts, any one of which may fall on my head without notice. That is to say, I have submitted an answer, which seemed logically solid, but perhaps a bit too easily obtained. Does the island punish those who float ashore on a wrong answer?

[SewYoung]

Took me longer than
It should have, but I am now
On shore - toes in sand.

[ChrisKochmanski]

Ashore!

Something mildly amusing ...

Late this afternoon, I had a lengthy deep teeth cleaning at the periodontist's office. When I got home, it was almost directly to our Geezers' Book Club via Zoom. Through both experiences, I kept thinking, "I want to get back to the puzzle, I want to get back to the puzzle, I want to get back to the puzzle ..."

I do indeed fear that I'm addicted!

[Kas]

On shore! And a no-doubter, fyi.

[Bird Lives]

Still filling out the grid here, but I found myself so outraged about one of the clues that I couldn't sit and finish without commenting first. (I don't think this is any way related to the meta, but I'll put a spoiler over it in case people don't want to read about the grid before they finish.) 21A is completely inappropriate. That is not funny - that is not a pun you get to just put a ? after and call it a day. People who are starving are not fasting. As food insecurity rises across the country, this is appalling to see in the WSJ crossword. I may just not finish and break my more than year long streak in protest of this. It's possible yesterday has put me more on edge than I would normally be, but this is simply not okay regardless.

The other day I said to a friend, "You wanna go get dinner?" She said, "Do I ever. I'm starving." Should I have told her that her remark was appalling?

[MikeM000]

Definitely on shore and submitted, but I have no idea how the pieces ordered themselves into the correct answer.

Edit: I see it now...not how my mind automatically thinks to order things (and not an order conducive to revealing itself easily with my solving method), but definitely a solidly good order.

[Omnibus]

On shore, but there’s crazy stuff going on here. Might go back to the boat.

[Omnibus]

I'm rather new here, so I will say I am on shore, but I feel as if I am sitting under a palm tree full of ripe coconuts, any one of which may fall on my head without notice. That is to say, I have submitted an answer, which seemed logically solid, but perhaps a bit too easily obtained. Does the island punish those who float ashore on a wrong answer?

A win is a win. Go with it.

[sharkicicles]

Really nice meta. For me it was one of those classic first-look-does-nothing, put it down, make dinner, pour a drink, and take a second look and, BOOM, get that toe-hold in. It fell quickly after that. A fun solve.So glad Pete's doing a 2021 MMMM.

[Dave C]

On shore, after not seeing it for too long.

[sanmilton]

I'm saying I'm on shore. I've submitted an answer, anyway! I had the Martini a couple of hours ago. Maybe I should go back to solving first! My reward will be a square of caramel-filled chocolate.

[DaveKennison]

Ashore (after swimming in circles for quite a while), and a little surprised to find so many others here already!

[Jeremy Smith]

As a physician, I will assert that obesity is a bigger problem in the USA.

As a retired medical professional, I agree.

[Dow Jones]

Ashore. Elegant !

[RDaleHall]

Got to the beach! Tough grid, and saw the shore in a few places... but getting to the end was through some rough waves. Liked the concept here - really fun puzzle. Let’s Go Buckeyes!!!! Having a Johnny Utah to celebrate.

[Powers2020]

Ashore! That was a wicked grid, but loved the meta! Dry January for me so sadly just a ginger ale!