This puzzle is brought to you by the "probably should have left this one in the ideas book!" school of meta construction. For xword-muggle patrons, it's definitely more of a MEOW than a MOAT! The answer to the meta is a 2-word phrase.
The easiest way to submit is on Crosshare (and you get instant feedback and unlimited attempts!) But you can also PM me with your submission. Either way, I'll compile a list of those who successfully solve the meta.
Note: This puzzle was my attempt to give you something a little less like the usual meta, much like the occasional puzzle we used to get from @madhatter5 himself! Remember when the weekly MEOW might be an unusual grid, or a word search, or even a puzzle involving colours? Well, this is a bit like that. And I have two more MEOWs in this vein coming up in September!
If you find yourself struggling to complete the grid on Crosshare or your device, this one might be slightly easier to solve on paper than computer screen. So print out the PDF and try again!
Re: MEOW #196 45 Degrees Clockwise
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2024 4:51 am
by markhr
The cat is out. A fun MEOW.
Re: MEOW #196 45 Degrees Clockwise
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2024 7:23 am
by Berto
I think the cat is as surprised as I am that it’s out!
Re: MEOW #196 45 Degrees Clockwise
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2024 7:29 am
by rjy
Don’t know if it’s just an anomaly for me, but a quick heads up that the PDF has a few of the final across clues missing. They appear in crosshare correctly.
Re: MEOW #196 45 Degrees Clockwise
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2024 7:38 am
by benchen71
rjy wrote: Wed Aug 28, 2024 7:29 am
Don’t know if it’s just an anomaly for me, but a quick heads up that the PDF has a few of the final across clues missing. They appear in crosshare correctly.
No, I've checked and the PDF has all the same clues as Crosshare.
rjy wrote: Wed Aug 28, 2024 7:29 am
Don’t know if it’s just an anomaly for me, but a quick heads up that the PDF has a few of the final across clues missing. They appear in crosshare correctly.
No, I've checked and the PDF has all the same clues as Crosshare.
The PDF available from the link above definitely has missing across clues.
Re: MEOW #196 45 Degrees Clockwise
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2024 10:25 am
by ImOnToo
rjy wrote: Wed Aug 28, 2024 7:29 am
Don’t know if it’s just an anomaly for me, but a quick heads up that the PDF has a few of the final across clues missing. They appear in crosshare correctly.
I had the same issue.
Re: MEOW #196 45 Degrees Clockwise
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2024 10:48 am
by woozy
Really clever.
I even managed to correct and an entry by doing the cross-clues
rjy wrote: Wed Aug 28, 2024 7:29 am
Don’t know if it’s just an anomaly for me, but a quick heads up that the PDF has a few of the final across clues missing. They appear in crosshare correctly.
No, I've checked and the PDF has all the same clues as Crosshare.
26, 27 and 29 A are cut off.
Re: MEOW #196 45 Degrees Clockwise
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2024 12:06 pm
by ChrisKochmanski
Cat’s out!
Hey, Ben, I welcome these Mad Hatter styles of puzzles. Shakes things up, keeps us from getting complacent. As long as not every puzzle breaks the usual rules.
Thanks!
Re: MEOW #196 45 Degrees Clockwise
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2024 12:46 pm
by hoover
Cat is out of the bag and zooming around the house!
Re: MEOW #196 45 Degrees Clockwise
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2024 3:15 pm
by KayW
The cat is out and a bit dizzy. A fantastic and different meta very much in the Mad Hatter spirit. I'm so glad you didn't leave this one in the idea book!
Re: MEOW #196 45 Degrees Clockwise
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2024 3:37 pm
by DrTom
The cat is out and walking a little askew. Heck of a time with the PDF because I was saying "Wow Ben has a LOT more faith in my ability to guess what these are than I actually possess", then I went to the PUZ and Crosshare. What an impressive idea and construction, Ben has obviously been going to longer sermons if he came up with this.
Kay is right, if Josh sees this he'll be delighted!! Thanks for the exercise!
rjy wrote: Wed Aug 28, 2024 7:29 am
Don’t know if it’s just an anomaly for me, but a quick heads up that the PDF has a few of the final across clues missing. They appear in crosshare correctly.
No, I've checked and the PDF has all the same clues as Crosshare.
Maybe formatting for A4 vs US letter size paper? I’m also seeing the pdf with 3 missing clues.
rjy wrote: Wed Aug 28, 2024 7:29 am
Don’t know if it’s just an anomaly for me, but a quick heads up that the PDF has a few of the final across clues missing. They appear in crosshare correctly.
No, I've checked and the PDF has all the same clues as Crosshare.
The PDF available from the link above definitely has missing across clues.
Darn it all, but you're right. The PDF is not right. I'll try and fix it, but not sure when I'll have time! So sorry about that.
Re: MEOW #196 45 Degrees Clockwise
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2024 5:31 pm
by benchen71
rjy wrote: Wed Aug 28, 2024 7:29 am
Don’t know if it’s just an anomaly for me, but a quick heads up that the PDF has a few of the final across clues missing. They appear in crosshare correctly.
rjy wrote: Wed Aug 28, 2024 7:29 am
Don’t know if it’s just an anomaly for me, but a quick heads up that the PDF has a few of the final across clues missing. They appear in crosshare correctly.
No, I've checked and the PDF has all the same clues as Crosshare.
Maybe formatting for A4 vs US letter size paper? I’m also seeing the pdf with 3 missing clues.
rjy wrote: Wed Aug 28, 2024 7:29 am
Don’t know if it’s just an anomaly for me, but a quick heads up that the PDF has a few of the final across clues missing. They appear in crosshare correctly.
rjy wrote: Wed Aug 28, 2024 7:29 am
Don’t know if it’s just an anomaly for me, but a quick heads up that the PDF has a few of the final across clues missing. They appear in crosshare correctly.
No, I've checked and the PDF has all the same clues as Crosshare.
The PDF available from the link above definitely has missing across clues.
You are right. I've uploaded a fixed version now. So sorry!