MEOW #159 Putting The A In STEM

A weekly meta crossword on the forum started by member Josh (aka madhatter5). These puzzles are often very creative with solving mechanisms out of the norm and skewing towards the more challenging. Puzzles are posted every Wednesday, and the solution appears the following Tuesday.
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benchen71
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MEOW #159 Putting The A In STEM

#1

Post by benchen71 »

I have absolutely no idea where this one came from! I just found myself thinking along certain lines and before I knew it, there it was. This one might be a bit tricky, but hopefully you will get there in the end. The answer to the meta is an 11-letter word.

The easiest way to submit is on Crosshare (and you get instant feedback and unlimited attempts!) But you can also PM me with your submission. Either way, I'll compile a list of those who successfully solve the meta.

Putting The A In STEM - Crosshare
Putting The A In STEM - PUZ
Putting The A In STEM - PDF
Putting The A In STEM - spreadsheet

Kitten
Calico
Persian
Puma
Lion

Nudges are here.
The solution is here.

stem.jpg
Last edited by benchen71 on Mon Dec 18, 2023 4:45 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Check out "The MOAT Mini Pack of Marching Bands" here. US$5 gets you 7 Marching Bands which, hard enough on their own, now contain metas too. And once again there's a mega-meta! :D
Berto
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#2

Post by Berto »

Cat is out of a bag!
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SamKat9
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#3

Post by SamKat9 »

Tricky, but the cat is out of the bag. Thanks Ben!
Shannon 🐱
PS: If you want help with a meta, PM what you have so I can help without spoiling too much. I've received lots of help in the beginning and I love to pay it forward!
markhr
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#4

Post by markhr »

The kitty has clawed its way out of the bag. Clever one.
hoover
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#5

Post by hoover »

Cat is out of the bag (well, not literally, because that's become her favorite napping spot).
I don't have anything clever to say, but if I did, it would go here.
Eli
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HeadinHome
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#6

Post by HeadinHome »

Originally posted “Put the A in MOAT (Made One Awesome Triumph) and stormed the castle!” Then a kind muggle pulled me aside and said, “ahem… today is Wednesday, and this is MEOW.” So —

Cat put the OW in MEOW (Made Escape, Extra Wittily) ?

A unique challenge with a great “aha!”
Last edited by HeadinHome on Wed Dec 13, 2023 12:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The other Wendy. :roll:
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Meg
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#7

Post by Meg »

On the tricky side, for sure! Thanks, Ben.
Check out and support http://CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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boharr
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#8

Post by boharr »

Cat is hip.
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ajk
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#9

Post by ajk »

Solved, after a brief delay. Different and fun, thanks.
Check out this very cool project by many of your favorite muggles to raise money to fight cancer. You get a fun puzzle bundle and good causes get $. Win-win: Crosswords for Cancer
MatthewL
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#10

Post by MatthewL »

Cat has been freed. Was a good way there, but needed some encouragement (and a bit of a course correct) to finish the job. Thanks for a fun one, Ben!
Matthew
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CPJohnson
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#11

Post by CPJohnson »

Got it! Didn’t fully understand until I read the crosshare comments. Thanks, Ben!
Cynthia
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Cinny
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#12

Post by Cinny »

Cat is out! Stuck for a while, but it now makes sense. Thanks, Ben!
Cindy Heisler
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rjy
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#13

Post by rjy »

Debaggery done… probably took a similar path as others, but it was downhill to the finish once I rattled the wrong pieces out of my brain. Fun concept, Ben, and nice execution!
Ray
Ergcat
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#14

Post by Ergcat »

Cat is free! Fun puzzle, Ben! I enjoyed that one!
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KayW
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#15

Post by KayW »

:crossed_swords: :rabbit: :cat: Cat is out - thanks, Ben!
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ChrisKochmanski
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#16

Post by ChrisKochmanski »

Scat, cat!

Very cool. Loved it. Thanks, Ben!
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Darth
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#17

Post by Darth »

The cat is out of the bag...and in the castle.
images (45).jpg
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woozy
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#18

Post by woozy »

*sigh* I should be getting it and I know I am close but... I must be making just one wrong assumption... just cant figure out which.

EDIT: Did get it eventually. I had to write Ben and say "I know my error has to be here but I'm utterly convinced that it correct and simply refuse to consider the option it isn't even though it leads to a better looking option. So please tell me my obvious error is correct so... I don't know... I can continue to bang my head on a wall but this time with more surety". He wrote back "Dude, the obvious error is an error". From there I was able to find my other error and eventually the answer... which was something I had been toying with but couldn't parse to be compatible with the obvious error and given something that is correct and parses well and an obvious error I felt I had to choose the obvious error.
Last edited by woozy on Thu Dec 14, 2023 11:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
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benchen71
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#19

Post by benchen71 »

It was very remiss of me not to post a solver update at the end of the first 24 hours. In my defence, it was the last day of school today before our summer holiday starts, so I was busy with final meetings, etc. Anyhoo, here's the list of successful solvers:

Hector
Berto
SamKat9
markhr
JM
hoover
HeadinHome
Cindy Weatherman
Meg
Dave C
AxelPlays
boharr
DCBilly
Tyrpmom
ajk
iceman
MatthewL
Mr Tex
Sendhil Revuluri
CPJohnson
Darrell
Cindy Heisler
Laura M
rjy
Sharkicicles
Ergcat
DIS
Alex Sisti
KayW
Darth
I K Snamhcok
Wilson Hubbell

We're off and racing with 32!
Check out "The MOAT Mini Pack of Marching Bands" here. US$5 gets you 7 Marching Bands which, hard enough on their own, now contain metas too. And once again there's a mega-meta! :D
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DrTom
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#20

Post by DrTom »

Well I struggled through that one and needed nudges to get to the end. Interesting concept and construction, I read things the wrong way it turns out. The cat had a particularly tough time getting out and worked up a sweat!
wet cat.jpg
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges where needed; metas should be about fun, not frustration. Send me what you have done so far because often you are closer than you think!
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