MEOW # 17: It's Been a While

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.
madhatter5
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MEOW # 17: It's Been a While

#1

Post by madhatter5 »

Apologies in advance for a bit of a tough grid this week. Luckily the meta is merely a calico so maybe that will compensate.


https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing
http://crossword.info/madhatter5/Its_Been_a_While


The answer to this meta is a familiar four-word phrase.


Good luck as always!
https://pandorasblocks.org/crosswords-for-cancer
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oldjudge
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#2

Post by oldjudge »

I think the cat has been slain, but ya never know (confirmed).
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Dannyvee
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#3

Post by Dannyvee »

๐Ÿˆ ๐Ÿ’ผ
I can be found in Sheridan, NY, veejaying. (8)
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RPardoe
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#4

Post by RPardoe »

It was a challenging grid, but enjoy a good challenge. Answer submitted.
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Joe Ross
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#5

Post by Joe Ross »

madhatter5
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#6

Post by madhatter5 »

Thanks to RPardoe for pointing out that the song in 15A should be "Domani", not "Domini". Nothing to do with the meta.
https://pandorasblocks.org/crosswords-for-cancer
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Meg
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#7

Post by Meg »

Confirmed. Trying to figure out why oldjudge above had to KILL the cat. This was a nice puzzle. 34a just reaffirms that Josh is emerging as a crossword constructor rebel.
Last edited by Meg on Wed Mar 24, 2021 10:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
Check out and support http://CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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boharr
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#8

Post by boharr »

The grid was tough but I have submitted my answer.

Confirmed. Cat is alive and well.
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Joe Ross
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#9

Post by Joe Ross »

Both out of the bag and on the beach.

Image
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ky-mike
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#10

Post by ky-mike »

Fun mid-week puzzle. Awaiting confirmation.
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ChrisKochmanski
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#11

Post by ChrisKochmanski »

The cat unbagged!

Not yet confirmed, but I feel very confident.

Fun puzzle!
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Cinny
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#12

Post by Cinny »

Confirmed. The cat is out of the bag! ๐Ÿˆ
Cindy Heisler
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Wendy Walker
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#13

Post by Wendy Walker »

LOL'd, literally, when I got the meta! My cat was next to me on the couch but was no help at all. Awaiting confirmation.
CONFIRMED! Also, I really wanted the answer to 41A to be "elected."
Last edited by Wendy Walker on Wed Mar 24, 2021 7:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Good luck, fellow Muggles!
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Hector
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#14

Post by Hector »

Given some of the crosses, I was surprised to get happy pencil without googling. Enjoyed the meta!
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Cindy
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#15

Post by Cindy »

Solved
Laura M
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#16

Post by Laura M »

Cat's out of the bag! Fun, and one of the few where the meta helped me solve the grid instead of the other way around :-)
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oldjudge
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#17

Post by oldjudge »

Meg wrote: โ†‘Wed Mar 24, 2021 9:40 am Confirmed. Trying to figure out why oldjudge above had to KILL the cat. This was a nice puzzle. 34a just reaffirms that Josh is emerging as a crossword constructor rebel.
LOL, fine to let the calico out of the bag, but what happens when Josh unleashes one of his Sabre-toothed tigers on us. Do you want one of those cruising your neighborhood--I think not. ๐Ÿ˜‰
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Abide
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#18

Post by Abide »

Had to "Reveal" for a few spots in the grid, but the meta was a nice calico after that. Really enjoyed this one!
The site is just a web page, a meeting place, a clubhouse - it's the group that's special.
โ€”Brian MacDonald
dudeski
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#19

Post by dudeski »

Tough grid. Fun meta.
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KayW
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#20

Post by KayW »

:couch_and_lamp: Pending confirmation.

Thanks Josh! You nailed the difficulty assessment: tough grid, but easy and fun meta.

EDIT: confirmed.
Last edited by KayW on Wed Mar 24, 2021 7:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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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