A weekly meta crossword created by members of the forum. Difficulty levels will vary. Hints are usually available starting Wednesday, and solutions are posted on Sunday.
With Christmas just a week away (and with apologies to Clement C. Moore), I thought I’d share a little poem that was inspired by this puzzle:
Oh yeah, the puzzle! In addition to @Abide, @Al Sisti, @boharr, @MarkWoychick, and @Joe Ross, I'd like to thank the "New England Muggles" (i.e. @Bob cruise director, @Dannyvee, @docison, @whimsy and Phil Totino) for their help with pretesting.
Off the couch with a slight groan. Must be getting old!
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
Shannon PS: If you want help with a meta, PM what you have so I can help without spoiling too much. I've received lots of help in the beginning and I love to pay it forward!
Further proof -- not that it's needed -- that @Cap'n Rick is not only an A-team constructor but also an outstanding versifier. Thanks for the fun puzzle AND the shout-out, Rick!
So what's it called when you see something that you figure absolutely must be the key, but also you can tell absolutely can not contain any information?
That's where I am. Usually when I can tell something can't contain information as this can't, I try a different tack but here it is not at all clear what else could be a tack, and there is simply no way this can't be the tack. Even though there is no information it can contain.
EDIT: Soon as I post that I did see another take that... spells nothing. But this other tack has to be it.
And done! Clever red herring and nice twist on the end.
Last edited by woozy on Mon Dec 18, 2023 12:33 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Funny story. I was all set to enter Par for the course for the CrossHare midi contest for April but I mistakenly thought midi meant 7x 7 and not 11 x 11. Oops. Well.... Here's a complex but **small** meta on the subject of golf.
woozy wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2023 12:17 pm
So what's it called when you see something that you figure absolutely must be the key, but also you can tell absolutely can not contain any information?
That's where I am. Usually when I can tell something can't contain information as this can't, I try a different tack but here it is not at all clear what else could be a tack, and there is simply no way this can't be the tack. Even though there is no information it can contain.
Ah! The Red Herring strikes again!
Last edited by Cap'n Rick on Mon Dec 18, 2023 12:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
A double-treat this week - the "usual" elegant and clever meta, and a 43A treat of a poem. Thanks, Cap'n!
Santa may have tipped me towards an answer. Not necessarily the right one.
Left the couch when I found a new land. I did have a pun about Land Ho, but thought better of it. I think I'll just enjoy the feeling of vacating the couch, and of course of luxuriating in the "Cap"tivating meter of the offered verse.
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges where needed; metas should be about fun, not frustration. Send me what you have done so far because often you are closer than you think!
A double-treat this week - the "usual" elegant and clever meta, and a 43A treat of a poem. Thanks, Cap'n!
