MGWCC #748 - “Crack the Code”

[Joe Ross]

MGWCC #748 — Friday, September 30th, 2022 — “Crack the Code”

THIS WEEK’S PUZZLE:

Well we’re not doing another Week 5 after that, but to be honest I have no idea how tough this one is. So let’s try something: with your entry, please submit a comment telling me what level difficulty you think this week’s meta is. Has to be between Week 1 and 5, but you can submit half-weeks (Week 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, or 4.5) as well as full weeks (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5). Then I’ll tabulate the results and perhaps it will be interesting.

THIS WEEK’S INSTRUCTIONS:

This week’s contest answer is a well-known number 3.


Solve well, and be not led astray by words intended to deceive.



WANT TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY CROSSWORD CONTEST?:
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[docison]

I've submitted, maybe have a shot at the top 10? I graded this a week 2.5-3... (of course, if I'm wrong, I will change my ranking!).

Indeed, #10 on the board.

[MikeyG]

Well we’re not doing another Week 5 after that.

Happiest news I've heard all month, haha. (I do love Week 5s, but last week functioned as one in my book!)

I like this rating thing. I've submitted and am crossing my fingers. I'd say a Week 3 seems solid.

[ChrisKochmanski]

Beam me up!

I scored it a 2.5. Though I can see going to 3. (Last week, like Nigel Tufnel, I thought, "This one goes to 11.")

[markhr]

In at #15. I rated it 2.0.
Unexpectedly, my weekend just opened up.

[docison]

In at #15. I rated it 2.0.
Unexpectedly, my weekend just opened up.

Well, there's a new edition of P&A Magazine (pandamagazine.com) coming out tomorrow at 1 ET, so I'm delighted that my decks have been cleared!

[woozy]

I'm grouchy so I'm going to say "a well known number 3" is an oxymoron. If something is well-known its a number one or two..... Jus' being a grouch.....

[HeadinHome]

Seeing the obvious first step; stuck as to next step. Just like yesterday with WSJ.

[HeadinHome]

Also - there is an award related to submitting on Oct. 2, as i recall. So i have time.

UPDATE - WOW was I feeling dumb (and increasingly infuriated) seeing people post here how easy it was, and seeing Matt’s board growing at a week-2 or week-3 pace. I just did not get it, for hours!!
Ironically, I was so relieved and excited to finally spot the mechanism, I forgot all about waiting to Oct. 2 and submitted immediately. Also forgot to give Matt a difficulty number in my comments… which I would say was a 4, and a true S.A.D. On the plus side, I have a bunch of new ideas for metas for my files. If I ever get to retire, I can make metas forever with all my failed meta theories.

[Wendy Walker]

I rated it a 2.5. As with so much of life, something dreaded simply Did. Not. Happen!

[KayW]

[Joe Ross]

Submitted a minute after previous update.

50. Joe Ross 09/30 - 15:26

Rated it a well-known 3, of course, hoping for extra credit in sussing this trick question.

[TMart]

Good meta. I gave it a week 2, but now I'm surprised that there aren't more solvers already. Maybe it's more of a week 3?

[Meg]

I’m in at #25. Happy my printer works!

[AaronT]

I think I’m suffering from a Week 4 hangover. Got the first step quickly and now stuck in the mud. Will step away for a bit and take a look at it with fresh eyes.

[MarkWoychick]

Waiting to be beamed up - good puzzle and happy for the reprieve on a week 5 - let the weekend begin!

Edit: beamed up at 59

[ky-mike]

Should be beamed up at next update.

Glad to have the weekend free.

Edit: #82

[Tina]

Haha. Loved the clue for 17A. This is why I am listed as "Fat Lard" in my daughter's iPhone contacts.

[AaronT]

Submitted and feeling 95% confident.

Edit: great success!

[MMe]

Good meta. I gave it a week 2, but now I'm surprised that there aren't more solvers already. Maybe it's more of a week 3?

Same -- I think it's a week 2 PLUS a red herring that might be very hard for folks to shake? (And are there many people who don't even try a week 5?)