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Split the Bills

◆ · By DrTom · Published 2022-10-12T12:00:30.213Z

Meta Prompt
The answer is the theme entry you thought you would find but didn't
Checking for previous play data...

Leaderboard (updated hourly)

  • imontoo solved 2022-10-12T14:59:25.626Z
  • Hector solved 2022-10-12T15:08:33.267Z
  • DIS solved 2022-10-12T16:25:45.798Z
  • rjy solved 2022-10-12T16:39:19.712Z
  • dplass solved 2022-10-12T17:32:30.753Z
  • boharr solved 2022-10-12T17:56:33.941Z
  • JM solved 2022-10-12T21:14:00.332Z
  • whimsy solved 2022-10-12T21:31:08.466Z
  • Meg solved 2022-10-13T02:15:56.242Z
  • Cindy Heisler solved 2022-10-13T11:12:58.510Z
  • andeux solved 2022-10-13T17:40:03.956Z
  • Schmeel solved 2022-10-13T18:00:36.066Z
  • Cindy Weatherman solved 2022-10-13T18:24:33.466Z
  • lbray53 solved 2022-10-13T20:02:40.353Z
  • I K Snamhcok solved 2022-10-13T21:09:07.457Z
  • kieranjboyd solved 2022-10-13T21:13:55.635Z
  • BarbaraK solved 2022-10-13T22:58:16.758Z
  • KayW solved 2022-10-13T23:08:21.487Z
  • ajk solved 2022-10-13T23:49:40.402Z
  • Darth solved 2022-10-14T01:38:31.141Z
  • benchen71 solved 2022-10-14T03:24:06.617Z
  • markhr solved 2022-10-14T03:24:15.238Z
  • SeamusOL solved 2022-10-14T03:24:57.649Z
  • Tyrpmom solved 2022-10-14T04:34:44.432Z
  • madhatter5 solved 2022-10-14T04:50:57.472Z
  • BrennerTJ solved 2022-10-14T20:20:09.403Z
  • ReB solved 2022-10-14T21:36:42.303Z
  • edestlin solved 2022-10-15T13:37:59.860Z
  • Pair O Ducks solved 2022-10-15T14:22:30.978Z
  • Mwoychick solved 2022-10-15T22:14:13.162Z
  • Carolyn solved 2022-10-16T23:55:08.121Z
  • Laura M solved 2022-10-17T06:37:42.617Z
  • CPJohnson solved 2022-10-17T11:26:30.844Z
  • Dow Jones solved 2022-10-17T21:49:59.900Z
  • Mikey G solved 2022-10-19T15:32:56.320Z
  • Tablesaw Tablesawsen solved 2022-10-24T19:34:04.420Z
  • clev solved 2023-03-15T07:28:58.616Z

Comments

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  • DrTom constructor · 2022-10-12T12:00:30.213Z
    I got feedback on the my last puzzle that solvers wished constructors would publish the steps to the solution. The solved grid and method will always be available on Xword-muggles.com in the Board index/Other Meta Crossword Puzzles/Madhatter's Enigma on Wednesdays (MEOW) section, but I'll include an abbreviated version here.
    The solution lies in noticing the "split" Bills (CODY, MURRAY, GATES, COSBY). Each of their initial clues contains a nudge toward the right answer (ex Buffalo for CODY). If one takes the first letter of the clues that form the "split" Bill you get BCLINTON - good old Bubba.
    • Hector 🤓6:50 · 2022-10-12T15:14:03.014Z
      I like this practice -- often I get to the answer but am unsure of this or that part of the mechanism. Thanks!
    • imontoo 3s · 2022-10-12T15:06:13.397Z
      I always enjoy your clues, Tom. Thanks for the puzzle.
      • Hector 🤓6:50 · 2022-10-12T15:13:24.574Z
        Hi Tom, this is awesome. It's not really a theme entry you're looking for, but that's not a big deal (maybe theme "content", "item", or "material"?).
        • rjy 4s · 2022-10-12T16:43:58.280Z
          Phew! made it to the finish line!
          Assumed we'd do something with the initials CMGC, so I looked endlessly for some Bills who could at least provide me some vowels. FINALLY thought to look at the clues.
          And totally missed your nudges in the clues... very clever! Enjoyed it, Dr Tom (well... except for a rather extended googling rabbit-hole... oof!)
          • dplass 4:29 · 2022-10-12T17:32:59.841Z
            Test solver here. I giggled at some of the clues, last time and this time.
            • boharr 3s · 2022-10-12T17:58:42.499Z
              Fun and clever, DrTom. Thanks. But more a Puma, at least for me.
              • whimsy 🤓8:16 · 2022-10-12T23:58:07.056Z
                DrTom gave my memory an elbow nudge...
                • Cindy Heisler 1s · 2022-10-13T11:16:55.466Z
                  I had the first step right away,but it took me a bit to figure out the next step. I kept trying to find a Bill with an 8-letter last name. Fun puzzle and great clues. Thanks!
                  • I K Snamhcok 6s · 2022-10-13T21:14:34.633Z
                    Initially I suspected CLINTON might be the answer, but when Dr. T specified eight letters, I thought, “That can’t be it.” Also, I had noticed Buffalo, stripes, Windows, and the non-hero idea, and I thought that would be it for the clues. Wrong! Probably not your best, Dr. T, but I still enjoyed the experience.
                    • benchen71 4s · 2022-10-14T03:28:02.385Z
                      Did you notice that if you use the first two letters of the clues of the second parts it spells CLINTONA? :-)
                      • DrTom constructor · 2022-10-14T12:36:38.147Z
                        I did not! Wow, given that the first part was BCLINTON I wish I had been clever enough to have done that on purpose.
                      • markhr 🤓10:05 · 2022-10-14T03:33:42.730Z
                        Very clever, Dr. Tom. I liked your use of the clues here.
                        • madhatter5 1s · 2022-10-14T04:54:05.178Z
                          Keep up the good work Tom! Very nice puzzle though that final step was beyond me without nudges.
                          Interestingly FORTEPIANO (loud-soft) was the old name for the plain old piano
                          • ReB 7s · 2022-10-14T21:48:54.566Z
                            Once I took a fresh look and was able to get past the initial BC and after seeing that the rest of the first clue letters were LINTON, I finally realized that, unlike the four last name only themers, the answer consisted of the first name initial (B) followed by the last name.
                            I had suspected that Clinton would make a suitable solution, but discarded that early on because it only had seven letters and all the other themers were just the last names. I would say that there was some inconsistency/inelegance with that, though it obviously was necessary since you needed an 8-letter answer.
                            • DrTom constructor · 2022-10-15T01:18:03.097Z
                              Yes I was a bit stuck there because there are other "even number" Bill names (MURRAY) but though he is a well known Bill he is hardly the one you'd EXPECT to see in a puzzles about Bills. Additionally, it is quite difficult to find reasonable words that end with CL, CLI, CLIN to "split" him in a grid. Sorry you found it inconsistent/inelegant.
                            • Carolyn 3s · 2022-10-16T23:57:34.565Z
                              I also ruled out Clinton based on seven letters. Finally came around to see the light.
                              Play today's daily mini crossword
                              1A
                              Big Summer dance craze (that has a huge annual event in, of all places, Buffalo!)
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                              Across
                              1. 1A
                                Big Summer dance craze (that has a huge annual event in, of all places, Buffalo!)
                              2. 6A
                                Classification that sounds more like it relates to food than to force?
                              3. 10A
                                Bounces about on the water
                              4. 14A
                                Old-fashioned music hall
                              5. 15A
                                True-to-life
                              6. 16A
                                Give off, as light
                              7. 17A
                                Musically, loud followed by soft
                              8. 19A
                                Groove a carpenter gets into
                              9. 20A
                                Apartment
                              10. 21A
                                An abbreviation of some interest
                              11. 22A
                                Narc's target
                              12. 24A
                                Scull sticks
                              13. 26A
                                Heir's concern
                              14. 27A
                                Pancakes to put roe
                              15. 30A
                                Bender
                              16. 32A
                                Assistance
                              17. 33A
                                Leaping primate with big eyes and a ringed tail (which some people describe as stripes)
                              18. 35A
                                Initial industrial synthetic fabric
                              19. 39A
                                Jannings who won the first Oscar
                              20. 41A
                                Chest odor
                              21. 43A
                                Pay lavish attention to
                              22. 44A
                                Named rating proudly displayed by restaurants (usually in windows)
                              23. 46A
                                Top first name in cosmetics
                              24. 48A
                                Understood the method
                              25. 49A
                                Itty's small qualifier
                              26. 51A
                                Lords' companions
                              27. 53A
                                One time despotic leader of the Philippines (who completely dispelled his image as a hero)
                              28. 56A
                                Name for 8 bits of data
                              29. 57A
                                Device often smarter than its user
                              30. 58A
                                Mahmoud Abbas's grp.
                              31. 59A
                                Kind of palm
                              32. 63A
                                Diva's delight
                              33. 64A
                                Despotic
                              34. 67A
                                Something you see from the side-window of your car
                              35. 68A
                                Tournament ranking
                              36. 69A
                                Having a piece but not peace
                              37. 70A
                                Alternatives to beers
                              38. 71A
                                Facility
                              39. 72A
                                Unrinds
                              Down
                              1. 1D
                                Remove, as a hat
                              2. 2D
                                Graven image
                              3. 3D
                                Word that twice follows "Que"
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                                Texas' major bolls
                              5. 5D
                                Lowest number on a bingo card
                              6. 6D
                                Jackson Pollock technique
                              7. 7D
                                Calendar span
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                                Gram alternative
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                                Lover with a ladder
                              10. 10D
                                Support for a retired person
                              11. 11D
                                Peyton Manning's favorite place to call
                              12. 12D
                                Bathroom cleaner?
                              13. 13D
                                Location on the "Mall of America" map
                              14. 18D
                                3.26 light-years
                              15. 23D
                                Friend who never reciprocates
                              16. 25D
                                Afflict
                              17. 27D
                                Folk-singer great, Joan
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                                South American capital
                              19. 29D
                                "Understand" to a Beatnik
                              20. 30D
                                Like dishwater
                              21. 31D
                                London fool
                              22. 34D
                                Convene
                              23. 36D
                                Jellystone Park resident
                              24. 37D
                                Missouri River tribe
                              25. 38D
                                Fish haulers
                              26. 40D
                                Attire for scientists
                              27. 42D
                                Trust
                              28. 45D
                                Suffix for men, cap or idea
                              29. 47D
                                Put on the feed bag
                              30. 50D
                                Sleepy fly
                              31. 52D
                                Covet
                              32. 53D
                                Sporty Mazda
                              33. 54D
                                Tax month
                              34. 55D
                                Lorelei's locale
                              35. 56D
                                Characteristic of a real fan
                              36. 58D
                                Company head: Abbr.
                              37. 60D
                                Top of the line, like a Wile E. Coyote anvil
                              38. 61D
                                Highlander
                              39. 62D
                                Cutlass, e.g.
                              40. 65D
                                Assent
                              41. 66D
                                40 winks
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