MEOW # 2: Going Off the Grid

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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madhatter5
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MEOW # 2: Going Off the Grid

#1

Post by madhatter5 »

Hi all and welcome to the second edition of the MEOW.

The answer to this meta is a word which I hope does not apply to this meta.

http://crossword.info/madhatter5/Going_Off_the_Grid


Good luck!
https://pandorasblocks.org/crosswords-for-cancer
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Hector
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#2

Post by Hector »

Out of the litter box.

Challenging and rewarding grid and meta.
madhatter5
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#3

Post by madhatter5 »

Please let's make "out of the litter box" the official phrase!
https://pandorasblocks.org/crosswords-for-cancer
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ChrisKochmanski
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#4

Post by ChrisKochmanski »

Out of the litter box!

I very much enjoyed this puzzle. Don't worry, Josh, the answer word most definitely does NOT apply. Nice work!

(Should MEOW move up to the Other Meta Puzzles page? Hint, hint ... to whoever decides these things.)
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Cindy
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#5

Post by Cindy »

Solved
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Meg
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#6

Post by Meg »

Waiting for confirmation, but feeling pretty sure that I am out of the litter box.
Got it!
Last edited by Meg on Thu Dec 10, 2020 7:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
Check out and support http://CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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boharr
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#7

Post by boharr »

Out of the litter box. Awaiting confirmation.

Edit: Confirmed
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whimsy
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#8

Post by whimsy »

Still in the box -- but it's OK -- I've got artisanal kitty litter --
Capturekittylitter.JPG
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Al Sisti
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#9

Post by Al Sisti »

Loving your puzzles, btw... but is there a way you can put the title and the prompt on the PDF version? Not sure what construction software you're using, but in Crossword Compiler, it's either under Headings or Information (I fill them both in, so I don't actually know which one works).
madhatter5
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#10

Post by madhatter5 »

Thanks!

Oh, I didn't realize I could do that in Crossword Compiler. Okay let me see if I can.

Edit: Done. Apologies to Cindy who asked me to do that earlier but I didn't realize I could.
https://pandorasblocks.org/crosswords-for-cancer
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Dannyvee
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#11

Post by Dannyvee »

Cat’s out of the bag! 😹
(We have four cats so I’d rather stay away from the litter box)
Liked this puzzle
I can be found in Sheridan, NY, veejaying. (8)
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ChrisKochmanski
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#12

Post by ChrisKochmanski »

Cat's out of the bag ... oh, I like that!

Snappier, IMO, than out of the litter box.

Hatter, what do you think?
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whimsy
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#13

Post by whimsy »

So many excellent Kitty metaphors to choose from.........This one could be the cat's pajamas!
madhatter5
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#14

Post by madhatter5 »

I have to agree with Cat's out the Bag, unless anyone vetoes.

Sorry Hector :)
https://pandorasblocks.org/crosswords-for-cancer
madhatter5
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#15

Post by madhatter5 »

Solution:

As 79-across tells you, you need to do some anagrams to solve this one. But where are the anagrams?

As the title instructs, you need to look off the grid - i.e., the clues. It turns out the four theme entries anagram into four other clues in the grid:

ASSENTINGNOD -> GODS, IN NANTES (31D, clue for LESDIEUX)

ORBISCULATE -> CIA TROUBLES (1A, clue for ALQAEDA)

OFFICIAL MEN -> CAINE OF FILM (91A, clue for MICHAEL)

MORE ANAGRAMS -> GERMAN AROMAS (12D, clue for EAUDECOLOGNE)

The first letters of the corresponding entries spell LAME.
https://pandorasblocks.org/crosswords-for-cancer
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whimsy
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#16

Post by whimsy »

Haven't peeked yet but may have to since....
[attachment=0]Capturekitty.JPG[/attachment
My main disappointment is not getting the one that contains one of my favorite new words in the grid! :D
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Capturekitty.JPG
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Al Sisti
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#17

Post by Al Sisti »

madhatter5 wrote: Tue Dec 15, 2020 4:11 am Solution:

As 79-across tells you, you need to do some anagrams to solve this one. But where are the anagrams?

As the title instructs, you need to look off the grid - i.e., the clues. It turns out the four theme entries anagram into four other clues in the grid:

ASSENTINGNOD -> GODS, IN NANTES (31D, clue for LESDIEUX)

ORBISCULATE -> CIA TROUBLES (1A, clue for ALQAEDA)

OFFICIAL MEN -> CAINE OF FILM (91A, clue for MICHAEL)

MORE ANAGRAMS -> GERMAN AROMAS (12D, clue for EAUDECOLOGNE)

The first letters of the corresponding entries spell LAME.
Very cool... you've got some chops!
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oldjudge
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#18

Post by oldjudge »

Fun puzzle—thanks! BTW, there is an interesting Easter egg related to the title that I also found if anyone is interested.
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whimsy
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#19

Post by whimsy »

OK -- I peeked -- good thing cause I would have been looking at it a looong time.
I was trying to continue words near the top and bottom "off the grid."
Also, the T-something words, and the discs and iscs called to me a little too beguilingly!
Laura M
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#20

Post by Laura M »

Really nice but Kas 5 for me! I knew from MORE ANAGRAMS that I would never get this one, although in retrospect there were some things I should have seen...
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