Re: MEOW #214 New Year's Resolution
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2025 9:54 pm
One more person joins the ranks:
34 Serafin
34 Serafin
This played a lot harder than I thought it would. I was sure that the moment people saw RESOLUTION, particularly since I had telegraphed what I was going to do with 52A, the scales would fall away. The solution was indeed a RE solution because adding RE to all the words was the way to the Promised Land.
The alternates were all pretty specific, but perhaps a bit more esoteric than people expected. RETURN was the one that gave most people trouble because “Refuse to accept = DENY” did not score in many minds the same it did in mine, if you refuse to accept a package or letter you RETURN it.
Nobody was fooled by the odd word that was generated - CANTED - because by then you were used to adding RE to everything and RECANTED certainly makes sense.
The turn-out was not as heavy as for the 12/25 puzzle, but then again this one is much harder and comes at a busy time. I thank the 34 people who did solve and look forward to my next chance to challenge you. The real Madhatter (Josh) is taking a turn at bat Wednesday and I hope you have your thinking caps on!