MEOW #177 The Odd Couple

[rjy]

Well, I needed the hints, but finally got there. I was looking in the totally wrong direction. Well done gents!

Same - stuck in a pretty convincing rabbit hole, but nudges nudged the cat from the bag. Fun concept, fellas!

[Cap'n Rick]

2. Two constructors were responsible for this grid! A hint regarding who did what: the right side constructor *really* should have crossed AHOY with GDAY.

Yeah, @benchen71, why didn't we use GDAY there? That would have been perfect! Oh, right, never mind.

[sharkicicles]

I think I’m about halfway there but in any case I’m already in awe of this construction. One of the coolest grids ever.

[Cap'n Rick]

Leaderboard Update:

There's nothing better than a few Nudges from "Down Under" to get the ball rolling. Nine more solvers bring us to 24:

lbray53
KayW
whimsy
MatthewL
woozy
hcbirker
markhr
rjy
Laura M

Please let us know if we've missed anyone!

[Berto]

Finally got it with a hyphenated WAG..!

[Cap'n Rick]

Leaderboard Update

Two more solvers to add to the list:

Carolyn
Berto

Since this one is playing much harder than expected, let me add another Nudge:

► Show Spoiler

The hyphenated term contains two 6-letter words. The first word is derived from grid entries, and the second is derived from the clues associated with those grid entries.

[hoover]

I needed all the nudges, but I got there eventually.

[Ergcat]

Cat is free at last!! Needed that last hint! Was over complicating it!

[Cap'n Rick]

Leaderboard Update

Eight more solvers push us to 34!

BarbaraK
hoover
DCBilly
Ergcat
andeux
Tyrpmom
Dow Jones
potemkinish

Please let us know if we've missed anyone.

[benchen71]

I assume Rick will update the leaderboard, if there are any additional solvers since the weekend. However, it falls to me to present to you the solution to "The Odd Couple" and now seems as good a time as any!

Interestingly, I don't believe anyone made a comment on Crosshare about the easter egg in the puzzle: the first names of the original odd couple!

I had so much fun ignoring all the rules of crossword construction: 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, an unconnected grid - oh, so messy! I also had fun getting a second long vertical entry in there, too. Hope you enjoyed the puzzle!

[Cap'n Rick]

Nice reveal, Oscar, er..., I mean @benchen71!

The final two solvers were:

Sharkicicles
DIS

Lots of fun! Let's "team" up again real soon!