"Flight of Fancy" March 15, 2024

[Katiedid]

No idea so far.

[b4alltime]

Ashore with the aid of the Z factor. Nonetheless, not 100% confident, and if my answer is correct there is a second that would seem equally correct. Time will tell.
Regards to all,
Jim

Edit: I stand corrected. There can be no second answer when the entirety of the metanism is appreciated.

[woozy]

Yes.

Have to agree. Very famous. But then, I may have a slight advantage with this particular one, not saying what that advantage is yet, leading me to be somewhat familiar with this artist's work.

I didn't mean to be terse.

A couple of examples:

• There are many titles of different works by William Shakespeare that I'd have to interweb to find that he's the "famous author." That Billy Shakes is famous is of little doubt.

• There are many singers who have many Platinum songs whom I wouldn't recognize after interwebbing one of their song titles. Going Platinum makes a singer very famous, even if I don't recognize their name nor any of their songs.

This can work for any muggle across a long list of categories, including art, writing, music, geography, physics, crocheting, comedy, closest organizing, sports (for God's sake), military, biology, psychology, and every variation/classification within all possible categories.

Heard of the works but not the artist seems possible. Like Botticelli. "Who?" You know The Birth of Venus. "What?" The woman on the clam shell? "Oh yeah! That's a real famous artist!"

[Kris Zacharias]

I'm floundering at sea with the fishies without a clue. On another subject, the answer today's Jumble gave me, shall we say , a "quizzical" laugh in light of this puzzle (not a clue or a spoiler).

[arecibo]

Ashore. The most frustrating puzzle I can remember, in terms of (my own calculation of) the ratio of discouraged posters to the puzzle's "je ne sais quoi" (I wouldn't use either "simpleness" or "elegance"). Also a super-rare case where having a completely correct grid (and I mean completely correct) is very very helpful.

As for signposts, I count no shortage (if I were to rank them by prominence, I was cued in by signposts 4 and then 1).

[sheilaco]

Still at sea but still hoping

[hunkra]

Needed an initial hint to set me on the correct path (thanks @boharr) Am now enjoying a well-earned beach cocktail. Seems like a pretty unique meta to me. Pretty brilliant!

[sheilaco]

Ashore finally! (with a few nudges from Don & Cynthia)

[BigPear]

Y’aaaallllll… My sister noticed something that seemed like it *had* to be the key, and we have slogged through many steps to get inches away from what looks like a very good answer. But no. We have not been able to get this thing over the goal line. Either it is the cruelest rabbit hole ever, or the muggles who are describing this as the most amazing, original, and elegant metanism are mistaken. Alas, experience tells me it is the former, but I have already moved into this rabbit hole. My mail being forwarded underground.

[Homer Buckle]

Ashore thanks to major league hints from the zoom call. Great puzzle!

[HunterX]

My critique is that there were no clear triggers. There were a few subtle triggers but they were easy to miss. What tripped me to the right step was completely coincidental and unintentional.

Personally, I thought the hints were perfect--a little subtle, but not too subtle. Frankly, i almost never have success backsolving a metanism. But in this case, the hints allowed me to kinda, sorta, do essentially that. Those who don't have the necessary specific knowledge, might miss this entirely. So perhaps your level of familiarity with the answer affects how helpful you find the hints.

As Steve Martin taught me in the '70's, if you don't know your target audience, your jokes might fall flat (or not, depending on how you play it):

[Char]

Solved with confirmation of a hunch by a muggle who also gave a slight nudge.

[CopperRiver]

Completely lost at sea.

[Ergcat]

I'm floundering at sea with the fishies without a clue. On another subject, the answer today's Jumble gave me, shall we say , a "quizzical" laugh in light of this puzzle (not a clue or a spoiler).

Saw that too!

[Ergcat]

Ashore with the aid of the Z factor. Nonetheless, not 100% confident, and if my answer is correct there is a second that would seem equally correct. Time will tell.
Regards to all,
Jim

It’s a 100%. If you solved correctly there is no doubt or second answer.

[HunterX]

Ashore with the aid of the Z factor. Nonetheless, not 100% confident, and if my answer is correct there is a second that would seem equally correct. Time will tell.
Regards to all,
Jim

It’s a 100%. If you solved correctly there is no doubt or second answer.

Yeah. You might guess the correct answer. But if you found a metanism that you think gives you an answer, but you aren't entirely sure if it's right, then it's not the correct metanism.

[otlaolap]

Staying on the boat this week. Its amazing how every square in the grid is filled in and yet, yet, yet there is nothing there at all. Will gaze at it hopelessly some more later.

[Miki]

I'm floundering at sea with the fishies without a clue. On another subject, the answer today's Jumble gave me, shall we say , a "quizzical" laugh in light of this puzzle (not a clue or a spoiler).

Agree

[hoover]

I'm ashore after another Muggle pointed out that I might already have what I need in my notes.
But I don't like the taste of this drink.

[Miki]

Finally saw it. Someone did say that early on...
Don't give up and keep staring.

Miki