"Introducing The Middle Class" by benchen71

[DrTom]

Hmm... I think I see the intended concept and ... it just is. It doesn't lead to any meta and by its very nature can't lead to any meta.... wierd.

Edit: ANd then the second I post that what to do becomes obvious. Not just obvious but but a standard we've done dozens of times.

Like some others this was the push I needed to take another look, and of course immediately saw what I had spent a lot of time not seeing. So thanks to Ben for another MOATivated puzzle and Woozy for MOATivation, between the two I MOATerd across. (and didn't even have to use nudges!!!)

[ajk]

Needed the second nudge, but solved now. Fun one, though I didn't get a resounding click on the answer. But figured it had to be that, and I was just missing the link.

[Ergcat]

Crossed the moat! Needed the nudges !

[Cinny]

I certainly didn't storm the castle this week, but I did solve using the nudges. Thanks, Ben!

[benchen71]

Two additional nudges, if you're still struggling:

4. The six new clues will all be comprised of two words.

5. One word in each of the six new clues will be "CLASS".

[KayW]

FINALLY de-MOATED (figuratively and literally), after the remedial nudges. I guess I get a 28D on this one. Thanks for a fun puzzle Ben!

[hoover]

Nudged across the moat

[ReB]

Third nudges got me across, but should have only needed the first two. Thanks.

[benchen71]

Here's the final batch of solvers:

Dow Jones
DrTom
jbird
Johnny Luau
ajk
Ergcat
Cindy Heisler
KayW
hoover
kurtalert
SeamusOL
Gutman
DCBilly
MrTheHan
ReB
Jaclyn
DebbieC
Mikey G
Darrell
LindaPRmaven
Sharkicicles

That's 47 in total.

[benchen71]

Here's the solution to "Introducing The Middle Class":

A few solvers, perhaps not seeing that the order of the meta answer came from grid order, went with MASTER or MASTER CLASS. Some that did submit STREAM noted a lack of a "click". But I was going with STREAM in the sense of "put (schoolchildren) in groups of the same age and ability to be taught together." As it turns out, this sense is found in British/Australian English!

[dsbened]

I'm too dense to attempt meta-solving, but clue 57D cracked me up. I've never heard of a "fashion victim" before, but it's hilarious!

[benchen71]

I'm too dense to attempt meta-solving, but clue 57D cracked me up. I've never heard of a "fashion victim" before, but it's hilarious!

I'm sure there's a witty remark that goes something like, "If you don't know who the fashion victim is in your circle of friends, then you're probably it!"