"Please State Your Full Name" - May 21, 2021
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- Posts: 96
- Joined: Thu Apr 30, 2020 9:15 pm
- Location: Gulf Coast of Florida
Even though there are no x-es in the grid, I recalled the JEFFERSON AIRPLANE meta, in which we were expected to notice the absence of the last two-word state capital, and tortured the puzzle in an attempt to make it confess TEXAS, the only five-letter state name not represented in the theme answers.
- mikeB
- Posts: 273
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2021 1:50 pm
To my untrained eye, this meta was very well crafted. As several people have noted, it had the priceless feature of 100%-sureness once it was solved. California was a glitch for me, and as in others' experiences, that was after the other four letters were revealed. So here we had four letters derived from state name abbreviations in each of four theme words, and all derived the same way, viz., complete the state's name and pocket the surplus letter. The mission was to tweeze a fifth letter out of 25A. It took only seconds to conclude that California wasn’t going to be the source, because you’d need a nine-letter word as raw material. Plainly no such words were available in the grid. Therefore, to be consistent with the other four letter reveals, one had to look at other state name abbreviations within 25A. Then it was a quick trip from ME to IAIN and the 100%-sureness experience. To me at least, the speed bump represented by California was a feature, not a flaw. As to consistency, since the method for harvesting of each of those five letters was the same, this meta arguably deserves high marks in that department. Plus it was fun.
- Limerick Savant
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Sun Jun 09, 2019 12:22 am
- Location: Mobile, AL
- Contact:
Those few easier weeks were a curse
Where my fortunes appeared to reverse.
I thought I got better
At solving the meta.
Now it seems that I only got verse.
Strangely enough I intuited the correct answer because of the title and the many state abbreviations to be found throughout the grid. My original focus was on the first two letters of the five long answers but, like others, I became caught in the California fault line and never found my way out.
Found the puzzle grid simply replete
With short states. But which ones to complete?
The answer is nifty
Just five will make fifty
But the wrong ones will lead to defeat
Where my fortunes appeared to reverse.
I thought I got better
At solving the meta.
Now it seems that I only got verse.
Strangely enough I intuited the correct answer because of the title and the many state abbreviations to be found throughout the grid. My original focus was on the first two letters of the five long answers but, like others, I became caught in the California fault line and never found my way out.
Found the puzzle grid simply replete
With short states. But which ones to complete?
The answer is nifty
Just five will make fifty
But the wrong ones will lead to defeat
Dedicated to no nonsense nonsense
- mheberlingx100
- Posts: 615
- Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2019 11:39 am
I also have no problem with puzzle construction. Once I started filling the grid, I noticed the state abbreviations in the 5 longest clues. Admittedly, I did get hung up for a moment noticing other 2 letter combos that were state postal codes, but abandoned that pretty quickly - five long clues and five letter answer seemed a better rabbit hole to dive down.stmv wrote: Mon May 24, 2021 5:29 pm I'm a bit mystified at those complaining about DE being a two-letter word. The phrase (coming from French, yes, but used fairly commonly in English) is clearly "de rigueur", not "derigueur". In a sense, DE is much more of a two-letter word than ID is.
For me the importance of the two-letter words in the five clear theme entries jumped out at me right away, especially after I nearly got killed on the MGWCC "Please form two lines" meta where it turned out to be important to notice that each theme entry contained exactly one four-letter word.
Despite seeing the two-letter state abbreviations nearly right away, I did get sidetracked by an initial rabbit hole I haven't seen mentioned yet: Another common "letter hiding" meta mechanism is to have a key word exist elsewhere in the grid, but anagrammed with one letter changed. I noticed that MANIN = anagrammed MAINE with N substituted for E, and IWHO is OHIO anagrammed with W substituted for O; with 2/5 theme entries fitting this pattern, I was confident that I was on my way! But then looking for an anagram of Delaware but finding LAWFARE instead got me out of this rabbit hole and back on the right track.
Based on the title, I spelled out the full name of the states. From there, it was “Iain” that caught my eye and clued me in on the meta. Much more common to have “Ian” in crossword puzzles. Searched for the other 4 clue answers that had the omitted letters from the state abbreviation. “Lawfare” was actually the last one I saw. Put the extra letters in order then, Bob’s your uncle, the answer emerged.
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- Posts: 348
- Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 2:46 pm
Greetings--a quick update (with apologies for the brevity on a busy week):
This puzzle was another tough one! (We thought...). So many red herrings and rabbit holes. We had 1468 responses, with an impressive 79% correct. A barrage of wrong guesses: JUDGE, COURT, HONOR, STATE, many many others.
Congrats to this week's winner: Shishir Sheth of Mequon, Wisc.!
This puzzle was another tough one! (We thought...). So many red herrings and rabbit holes. We had 1468 responses, with an impressive 79% correct. A barrage of wrong guesses: JUDGE, COURT, HONOR, STATE, many many others.
Congrats to this week's winner: Shishir Sheth of Mequon, Wisc.!
- fuggedabowdit
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2020 1:24 pm
I took the meta mechanism a step too far. After arriving at FIFTY, which I considered unsatisfyng as a final answer, I looked at the answer to the # 50 clue, and thought I had found a significant coorelatiom between the abbreviated state in the answer (HI) and the fact that it was the FIFTIETH state. Using what I then thought was a convenient and perhaps intended coincidence, I reexamined the #50 clue and arrived at what is an appropriate greeting in Hawaii - ALOHA.
IMO - Still think it makes for a more challenging meta answer !!
IMO - Still think it makes for a more challenging meta answer !!
Never trouble trouble til trouble troubles you !
- DrTom
- Posts: 4906
- Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2019 6:46 pm
- Location: Jacksonville, FL
I believe you are now a candidate for the trophy I thought I had locked up..."Hardest, most circuitous way to arrive at an answer that really sounds like it should work!". I actually like your answer a lot, it won't help its chances that is for sure, but I like it.fuggedabowdit wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 1:23 pm I took the meta mechanism a step too far. After arriving at FIFTY, which I considered unsatisfyng as a final answer, I looked at the answer to the # 50 clue, and thought I had found a significant coorelatiom between the abbreviated state in the answer (HI) and the fact that it was the FIFTIETH state. Using what I then thought was a convenient and perhaps intended coincidence, I reexamined the #50 clue and arrived at what is an appropriate greeting in Hawaii - ALOHA.
IMO - Still think it makes for a more challenging meta answer !!
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges IF ASKED; metas should be about fun, not frustration. PM me what you have done so far, because often you are closer than you think, and I will try to help you move along.
- DrTom
- Posts: 4906
- Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2019 6:46 pm
- Location: Jacksonville, FL
Your rhyming does always amuse,Limerick Savant wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 12:13 am Those few easier weeks were a curse
Where my fortunes appeared to reverse.
I thought I got better
At solving the meta.
Now it seems that I only got verse.
Strangely enough I intuited the correct answer because of the title and the many state abbreviations to be found throughout the grid. My original focus was on the first two letters of the five long answers but, like others, I became caught in the California fault line and never found my way out.
Found the puzzle grid simply replete
With short states. But which ones to complete?
The answer is nifty
Just five will make fifty
But the wrong ones will lead to defeat
I smile at the subjects you chose.
I'm often endowed,
With a clear laugh out loud
While I try to not spit out my booze
Fret not over sine wave success
Our solve papers are always a mess
But with practice your skill
Will more accurately kill
Metas where previously you'd guess
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges IF ASKED; metas should be about fun, not frustration. PM me what you have done so far, because often you are closer than you think, and I will try to help you move along.
- Limerick Savant
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Sun Jun 09, 2019 12:22 am
- Location: Mobile, AL
- Contact:
I can say I feel nary a qualmDrTom wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 3:46 pmYour rhyming does always amuse,Limerick Savant wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 12:13 am Those few easier weeks were a curse
Where my fortunes appeared to reverse.
I thought I got better
At solving the meta.
Now it seems that I only got verse.
Strangely enough I intuited the correct answer because of the title and the many state abbreviations to be found throughout the grid. My original focus was on the first two letters of the five long answers but, like others, I became caught in the California fault line and never found my way out.
Found the puzzle grid simply replete
With short states. But which ones to complete?
The answer is nifty
Just five will make fifty
But the wrong ones will lead to defeat
I smile at the subjects you chose.
I'm often endowed,
With a clear laugh out loud
While I try to not spit out my booze
Fret not over sine wave success
Our solve papers are always a mess
But with practice your skill
Will more accurately kill
Metas where previously you'd guess
‘Bout accepting your metrical balm
It must please any Muggle
Seeking ease in their struggle
Getting treatment from old @DrTom
Dedicated to no nonsense nonsense
- sharkicicles
- Posts: 1238
- Joined: Fri May 10, 2019 12:03 pm
- Location: Chicago, Walter the Shih-Tzu's home town
Congrats Shishir! Wisconsin is about as close as the mug has come to Chicago recently so I’m counting this as a moral victory.
If you like Rows Gardens check out my mini ones here: viewforum.php?f=41. Nudges are free on the off chance I’ve solved the meta.
- SReh26
- Posts: 767
- Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 10:48 pm
Yes, congrats! Nice to see another Muggle take home the gold!sharkicicles wrote: Wed May 26, 2021 1:21 am Congrats Shishir! Wisconsin is about as close as the mug has come to Chicago recently so I’m counting this as a moral victory.
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- Posts: 3159
- Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:26 pm
- Location: at the intersection of grits and breakfast tacos
Congrats! I'll count this one as a win since it's in my timezone here in flyover country.SReh26 wrote: Wed May 26, 2021 8:23 amYes, congrats! Nice to see another Muggle take home the gold!sharkicicles wrote: Wed May 26, 2021 1:21 am Congrats Shishir! Wisconsin is about as close as the mug has come to Chicago recently so I’m counting this as a moral victory.
I don't have anything clever to say, but if I did, it would go here.
Eli
Eli
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- Posts: 575
- Joined: Fri Jan 24, 2020 3:21 pm
fuggedabowdit wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 1:23 pm I took the meta mechanism a step too far. After arriving at FIFTY, which I considered unsatisfyng as a final answer, I looked at the answer to the # 50 clue, and thought I had found a significant coorelatiom between the abbreviated state in the answer (HI) and the fact that it was the FIFTIETH state. Using what I then thought was a convenient and perhaps intended coincidence, I reexamined the #50 clue and arrived at what is an appropriate greeting in Hawaii - ALOHA.
IMO - Still think it makes for a more challenging meta answer !!
In awe at the effort there.
What a wild coincidence you uncovered.
+Fifty points extra credit!
- SReh26
- Posts: 767
- Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 10:48 pm
You know you have a problem when you wake up and think, oh goody! It’s finally Thursday and the meta’s coming out!


(yes I know there are metas every day, Im not there yet)
(yes I know there are metas every day, Im not there yet)
- lbray53
- Posts: 1508
- Joined: Fri May 08, 2020 8:34 am
- Location: Elkhorn, WI
I avoided the CA trap by pure luck. While trying to find the abbreviations for all 50 states, the clue for 39A "Follow me" and the fill "this way" popped into my head when I saw ME in 25A.
When I finally settled on needing to use the five themers, I wrote out MAINE as a possibility the first time through those fills. In fact, I looked for multiple state abbreviations in the other four themers.
Lawfare started me on Delaware. When I got to CALL ME BACK the weird spelling for IAIN just popped up.
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.
When I finally settled on needing to use the five themers, I wrote out MAINE as a possibility the first time through those fills. In fact, I looked for multiple state abbreviations in the other four themers.
Lawfare started me on Delaware. When I got to CALL ME BACK the weird spelling for IAIN just popped up.
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.
My avatar proves that it is sometimes better to be lucky than good!
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- Posts: 444
- Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 5:25 pm
- Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Wait - that's a problem? Uh-oh...SReh26 wrote: Thu May 27, 2021 8:47 am You know you have a problem when you wake up and think, oh goody! It’s finally Thursday and the meta’s coming out!
(yes I know there are metas every day, Im not there yet)