MGWCC #820 — “Hand to Mouth”

An excellent puzzle written by one of the innovators of the meta crossword format. It comes out every Friday at noon and increases in difficulty throughout the month. Available for modest subscription (worth every cent) here: www.xwordcontest.com
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Jeremy Smith
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#21

Post by Jeremy Smith »

Beamed at #43. I wonder if we'll get another "week 2" next week? :lol: :lol:
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HeadinHome
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#22

Post by HeadinHome »

On the board at 45, but not proud, since I needed some coaching. (Exactly the same sort of hang up that happened to me in the WSJ this week too… utter oblivion to the meta subject matter; ;) it’s been a no-fun meta weekend for me, boo hoo).

My 26 streak number today means it’s been exactly 1/2 a year since my disastrous stupidity/carelessness that broke a 100+ streak. What a special anniversary.
Last edited by HeadinHome on Sat Feb 17, 2024 7:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The other Wendy. :roll:
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lbray53
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#23

Post by lbray53 »

Beamed up at #24 but with plenty of help. Like HeadinHome ↑ I can't wait to hear how the solution, prompt and title fit together.
My avatar proves that it is sometimes better to be lucky than good!
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boharr
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#24

Post by boharr »

^What he says.
Beamed at #11 with much help.
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oldjudge
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#25

Post by oldjudge »

LOL, the consensus seems to be that this puzzle would have been better postponed---forever. 🤣
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KayW
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#26

Post by KayW »

:alien: :flying_saucer: Beamed. Is SAD the theme of the month?
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 metapuzzles created to help raise money for cancer-related charities. It is available at CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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woozy
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#27

Post by woozy »

If this was what people seem to think it was on discord it's not a week 2. It's a week negative square root of pi. I think in response I'm going to make a meta where the letters in the squares which add to 6 (6, 15, 24, 33, 42, 51, 60) spell BALLOON, the prompt will be "Something you shouldn't feed a crocodile". The key clue entry will be "All in all, they feel sick"(the plural of sick is six and "all in all" implies addition) and the title will be "I lead you to the answer" (because of a lead balloon). So far as I can tell that would be just as reasonable as this week two.
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.
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SamKat9
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#28

Post by SamKat9 »

Beamed with a strong assist from @schmidzy
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!
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Cinny
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#29

Post by Cinny »

Beamed with help.
Cindy Heisler
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Clpdlt22
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#30

Post by Clpdlt22 »

Still no joy here, would appreciate a nudge on a pm. I see things but nothing I can run with. Is there a Gaffney Zoom meeting or did I miss it?


I have gotten help from DCBilly , Woozy and Schmidzy, and have solved meta using the term loosely in this case. I think I will sleep on this before posting my opinion of this meta, but am very greatful to be put out of my misery by my nudgers.
Last edited by Clpdlt22 on Sat Feb 17, 2024 8:40 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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oldjudge
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#31

Post by oldjudge »

KayW wrote: ↑Sat Feb 17, 2024 12:21 pm :alien: :flying_saucer: Beamed. Is SAD the theme of the month?
This one was just sad, no acronym involved
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sharkicicles
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#32

Post by sharkicicles »

Lots of rabbit holes, lots of left-behind rabbit poop.
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Cindy
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#33

Post by Cindy »

Solved - it took a village.
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ship4u
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#34

Post by ship4u »

Finally, on the board!

I hope that the puzzle masters have not conspired to make us do penance for Lent. This meta, as well as, Mr. Shenk's were insufferable. Mea culpa!
Don & Cynthia

We are always happy to get to know other muggles and help in any way! PM's are always welcome. The next best thing to winning a mug is helping a fellow muggle win a mug!
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HunterX
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#35

Post by HunterX »

Okay. With a nudge, I was able to solve. But the nudge was a vigorous, two-handed shove in the right direction. And I agree with the comments of @oldjudge (#31), @woozy (#27 which made me LOL), and others, about how this one played out.

Congrats to anyone who solo solved (@Abide, @MikeyG, etc.). Don't think I'll submit the answer. Just feels disingenuous, given that I doubt I would have ever followed the right path with this one.
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JonJonBovi
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Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2022 10:20 pm

#36

Post by JonJonBovi »

Completely baffled after pulling on loose ends for awhile. Would appreciate a gentle nudge from any kind souls out there!
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Katiedid
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Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2021 8:53 pm

#37

Post by Katiedid »

Looks like this one is a week 4 or worse, and apparently not enjoyable. I was helped to shore on the WSJ, but I'm getting nowhere on this one. I might ask for a nudge tomorrow.
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BarbaraK
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#38

Post by BarbaraK »

Abide wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2024 12:26 pm Hmm, did I beat MikeyG and docison?

[edit: Yes, the Avis badge is mine!]
This is a great idea for an achievement! There haven't been any new ones in a while now. Attention @MattGaffney @Alex Boisvert

I like the idea of achievements that are a mix of luck and strategy. Maybe could do a couple other numbers. Like #42, because it's the ultimate answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything.

Hmm, I wonder if I've ever been #2. Doesn't seem likely.
If you want help with a meta, feel free to PM me. The more specific you are about what you have and what you want, the more likely I can help without spoiling.

(And if I help you win a mug, I’ll be especially delighted.)
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sharkicicles
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#39

Post by sharkicicles »

Think I’m declaring bankruptcy on this one and will just wait for tomorrow.
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Katiedid
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#40

Post by Katiedid »

Beamed up with a small nudge. Weird one.
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