#635 - "Don't Even Try"

An excellent puzzle written by one of the innovators of the meta crossword format. It comes out every Friday at noon and increases in difficulty throughout the month. Available for modest subscription (worth every cent) here: www.xwordcontest.com
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Joe Ross
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#635 - "Don't Even Try"

#1

Post by Joe Ross »

MGWCC #635 — Saturday, August 1st, 2020 — “Don’t Even Try”

THIS WEEK’S INSTRUCTIONS: This week’s contest answer is a seven-letter word.
Last edited by Joe Ross on Sat Aug 01, 2020 11:58 am, edited 2 times in total.
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oldjudge
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#2

Post by oldjudge »

Sounds like the Cyclopes are back--get the women and the children off the streets!
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Joe Ross
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#3

Post by Joe Ross »

Mattegory 5 is up!
Whole blood, platelets, or plasma: Donate 4 in 2024

PLATELET 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘀 ENORMOUS 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲:
𝟰𝟬% 𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰,
𝟯𝟬% 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰,
𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 & 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮. 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘!
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norrin2
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#4

Post by norrin2 »

When Matt Gaffney titled this one, it's like he was speaking directly to me.
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Anita
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#5

Post by Anita »

I don't think I've ever solved a week 5 (unless it was actually written with < week 4 difficulty). Probably won't this time either, and the title says it all.
Eckless
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#6

Post by Eckless »

On the board! Yes, it's a week 5...but it can be done!
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spotter
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#7

Post by spotter »

Disobeying the title and I think I'm onto something... If Jangler can do this in 23 minutes, surely I can do it in 96 hours!
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Meg
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#8

Post by Meg »

Hey Frankieheck!! You go, girl!
Check out and support http://CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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MajordomoTom
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#9

Post by MajordomoTom »

grid completed, SW corner was a bit wonky but I got it.

but the meta ... I already have a Hail Mary guess, but no way to backsolve it. I will try, title nonetheless.
"Lots of planets have a North", the Ninth Doctor.
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KayW
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#10

Post by KayW »

Woohoo! #6! This is the first time my position has not been 3-digits :D
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 metapuzzles created to help raise money for cancer-related charities. It is available at CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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Cindy
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#11

Post by Cindy »

#7! And #1 on the streak board! I took a screen shot. Never before and probably never again. And my husband was the decoder for all of the steps. I just did the work. He said. You’re welcome.
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Meg
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#12

Post by Meg »

This is what Matt posted on Twitter today:
Attachments
matt.gif
Check out and support http://CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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Hector
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#13

Post by Hector »

Submitted. BTW, there's an issue with the puzzle that doesn't affect the meta but which might distract you unnecessarily: 26D should read "...come _____ along with us": "King Lear"

Also BTW, six of the first nineteen guesses were incorrect . . .
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MajordomoTom
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#14

Post by MajordomoTom »

you're #13 on the board, very nice.

how can you tell there were 6 wrong submissions?
"Lots of planets have a North", the Ninth Doctor.
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Joe Ross
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#15

Post by Joe Ross »

*Beam me up!

What a slog! Definitely a Mattegory 5.

Attending my niece's wedding on Zoom, tonight. They'd better be okay with weird Uncle Joe drinking during the ceremony... I earned it!

[EDIT1: *]
Last edited by Joe Ross on Sat Aug 01, 2020 4:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Whole blood, platelets, or plasma: Donate 4 in 2024

PLATELET 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘀 ENORMOUS 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲:
𝟰𝟬% 𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰,
𝟯𝟬% 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰,
𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 & 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮. 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘!
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ChrisKochmanski
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#16

Post by ChrisKochmanski »

Beam me up!

Fun!
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Hector
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#17

Post by Hector »

MajordomoTom wrote: Sat Aug 01, 2020 4:08 pm you're #13 on the board, very nice.
I'm *just* barely visible on the front page.
how can you tell there were 6 wrong submissions?
Look at the Overall tab, which lists everyone who has submitted. The great Erik Agard seems to be among the unfortunates. I've been there more than once!
streakchaser
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#18

Post by streakchaser »

I've definitely found the mechanism (or at least the beginning of it), but can't figure out how to deduce the 7-letter answer from it. Hope it clicks over the weekend.
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TMart
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#19

Post by TMart »

On the board, but I’m still scratching my head. I guess that’s week 5.
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Hector
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#20

Post by Hector »

Very slow board, and more than half are of our number, including the top-tenners Eckless, FrankieHeck, KayW, Cindy, and Meg. Muggle women geniuses representing!
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