#708 - “Word for Word”

[Orsys]

Got it. Liked this one a lot.

[TeamDoubleTow]

Anyone interested in sharing a nudge? We haven't really seen much and would like to solve our first. Although maybe we can wait until January's.

[cbarbee002]

On the board. PM me if you need a nudge, and I'd be happy to help. Let me know what you've noticed so far!

I got a perfect nudge. While answering back that I needed more, there it was in my message. Fantastic nudge. Fantastic puzzle. One of my favorites actually.

It seems like there should be a finite number of meta mechanisms. But, similar to the huge number of songs created from an eight note scale, that number might be very large.

Ditto all that.

[TeamDoubleTow]

Anyone interested in sharing a nudge? We haven't really seen much and would like to solve our first. Although maybe we can wait until January's.

Thanks to the kindness of several members... Including an Express shuttle, we have now solved. Thanks so much. Never would have gotten this. We were definitely stuck in the wrong rabbit hole.

[cbarbee002]

I was going to respond with her line, but I didn't know if even the most ardent Python fans remember/heard it... apparently you guys did. Seek help immediately.

Well, when you've seen it [REDACTED] times, you remember details like that. As for seeking help, that's probably a good suggestion. I'll go to the nearest Argument Clinic for a session or two.

"Contradiction's not an argument!"

I’m sorry, this is abuse.

[Katiedid]

Thanks to cisalope for a tiny nudge, I have beamed up. I had found what I needed, but cisalope's advice got me unstuck.

[boharr]

With help, I beamed up.

[DrTom]

Well shucky darn, apparently one had to solve on the 27th to get the Holly Jolly badge. Guess I have to try again next year

[bigtuna]

I’m wondering best way to download matt’s puzzles onto my iPhone? (I’m traveling and can’t print off). Thanks for any help!!!

[Joe Ross]

I’m wondering best way to download matt’s puzzles onto my iPhone? (I’m traveling and can’t print off). Thanks for any help!!!

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/across-lite-crosswords/id480513184

[DrTom]

I've officially stopped wondering how Mike and Matt do this consistently. I know there is no logical explanation, they therefore must be wizards - now if I can just avoid being turned into a newt.....

I agree they must be wizards. And no, you don't want to be turned into a newt. Though, at this time of year, you could drink a martini, complain about Christmas celebrations, and then you'd be Newt Gin-Grinch.

Gee with all the sitting around I've been doing I was afraid I'd turn into a Lounge Lizard (either the person or the drink)

I do luckily weight a bit more than a duck (or even a dock) and therefore would be safe from being branded a witch or warlock (though I must say about day 2 of beating my head against the meta wall I may become warlike)

"It's a fair cop!" is a great line (they have even made a rather tacky BBC Radio show named that. But for the gold star with the maple leaf cluster - who plays the witch and what relation does she have to Lancelot/Black Knight?

And finally a question for LadyBird - What... is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow? (you have to know these things when you are the Queen...) [if not a Python fan this will likely fly right by you!]

[Bob cruise director]

I've officially stopped wondering how Mike and Matt do this consistently. I know there is no logical explanation, they therefore must be wizards - now if I can just avoid being turned into a newt.....

I agree they must be wizards. And no, you don't want to be turned into a newt. Though, at this time of year, you could drink a martini, complain about Christmas celebrations, and then you'd be Newt Gin-Grinch.

Gee with all the sitting around I've been doing I was afraid I'd turn into a Lounge Lizard (either the person or the drink)

lounge.jpg

I do luckily weight a bit more than a duck (or even a dock) and therefore would be safe from being branded a witch or warlock (though I must say about day 2 of beating my head against the meta wall I may become warlike)

"It's a fair cop!" is a great line (they have even made a rather tacky BBC Radio show named that. But for the gold star with the maple leaf cluster - who plays the witch and what relation does she have to Lancelot/Black Knight?

And finally a question for LadyBird - What... is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow? (you have to know these things when you are the Queen...) [if not a Python fan this will likely fly right by you!]

Swallows fly between 30 and 40 mph depending how fast they want to get away from your puns.

[HunterX]

I've officially stopped wondering how Mike and Matt do this consistently. I know there is no logical explanation, they therefore must be wizards - now if I can just avoid being turned into a newt.....

I agree they must be wizards. And no, you don't want to be turned into a newt. Though, at this time of year, you could drink a martini, complain about Christmas celebrations, and then you'd be Newt Gin-Grinch.

"It's a fair cop!" is a great line (they have even made a rather tacky BBC Radio show named that. But for the gold star with the maple leaf cluster - who plays the witch and what relation does she have to Lancelot/Black Knight?

And finally a question for LadyBird - What... is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow? (you have to know these things when you are the Queen...) [if not a Python fan this will likely fly right by you!]

"It's a fair cop" is used frequently in the Flying Circus skits. I presumed it was a common British phrase.

The witch, Connie Booth, who also appeared in Flying Circus skits and was a central character in Fawlty Towers, was John Cleese's wife for a number of years. (Frankly, she should probably have been credited as one of the Monty Pythons, though I don't know whether she participated in any of the writing.)

(@LadyBird - Hint: Ask @DrTom whether he means European or African.)

[Joe Ross]

[spotter]

I’m ready for a nudge if anyone could be so kind. Nothing I’m trying is getting me anywhere.

Edit. Okay don’t need anymore nudges. Thanks for responding

[BarbaraK]

I’m wondering best way to download matt’s puzzles onto my iPhone? (I’m traveling and can’t print off). Thanks for any help!!!

I use Puzzazz. It's free and works fine for me.

I believe Across is only available for iPads, not iPhones

[spotter]

And I’m beamed up now! I was thinking the right way but missing the execution.

[DrTom]

I agree they must be wizards. And no, you don't want to be turned into a newt. Though, at this time of year, you could drink a martini, complain about Christmas celebrations, and then you'd be Newt Gin-Grinch.

Gee with all the sitting around I've been doing I was afraid I'd turn into a Lounge Lizard (either the person or the drink)

lounge.jpg

I do luckily weight a bit more than a duck (or even a dock) and therefore would be safe from being branded a witch or warlock (though I must say about day 2 of beating my head against the meta wall I may become warlike)

"It's a fair cop!" is a great line (they have even made a rather tacky BBC Radio show named that. But for the gold star with the maple leaf cluster - who plays the witch and what relation does she have to Lancelot/Black Knight?

And finally a question for LadyBird - What... is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow? (you have to know these things when you are the Queen...) [if not a Python fan this will likely fly right by you!]

Swallows fly between 30 and 40 mph depending how fast they want to get away from your puns.

African or European swallow? Careful, you'll end up off the bridge!

[DrTom]

I agree they must be wizards. And no, you don't want to be turned into a newt. Though, at this time of year, you could drink a martini, complain about Christmas celebrations, and then you'd be Newt Gin-Grinch.

"It's a fair cop!" is a great line (they have even made a rather tacky BBC Radio show named that. But for the gold star with the maple leaf cluster - who plays the witch and what relation does she have to Lancelot/Black Knight?

And finally a question for LadyBird - What... is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow? (you have to know these things when you are the Queen...) [if not a Python fan this will likely fly right by you!]

"It's a fair cop" is used frequently in the Flying Circus skits. I presumed it was a common British phrase.

The witch, Connie Booth, who also appeared in Flying Circus skits and was a central character in Fawlty Towers, was John Cleese's wife for a number of years. (Frankly, she should probably have been credited as one of the Monty Pythons, though I don't know whether she participated in any of the writing.)

(@LadyBird - Hint: Ask @DrTom whether he means European or African.)

Heck if he'd have used all of his wives he wouldn't have needed the rest of the Pythons! I believe he had 4. (not 3, and not 5, you should count all the way up to 4, bypassing 3 and not continuing to 5, do not stop at 2 neither shall you stop at one unless you then continue to 2 and subsequently 3 on your way to 4... This has been brought to you be the Department of Redundancy Department and anyone wishing to argue it should come up with "a connected series of statements to establish a definite proposition".

[Bird Lives]

Kicking myself for needing a nudge. Matt has used one part of this mechanism before, and I even thought of it, but then dismissed the idea. In other respects, this meta seemed more like a Mike.