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· By Capn Rick · Published 2024-02-26T05:01:05.922Z

Meta Prompt
The meta answer is 4 letters.
Checking for previous play data...

Leaderboard (updated hourly)

  • Hector solved 2024-02-26T05:16:05.231Z
  • Schmeel solved 2024-02-26T06:52:11.631Z
  • Berto solved 2024-02-26T11:58:31.750Z
  • Pair O Ducks solved 2024-02-26T12:12:08.630Z
  • rjy solved 2024-02-26T12:45:01.026Z
  • Bird Lives solved 2024-02-26T12:46:39.148Z
  • DIS solved 2024-02-26T13:43:30.543Z
  • Alex Sisti solved 2024-02-26T14:05:54.171Z
  • boharr solved 2024-02-26T16:16:31.192Z
  • Cindy Weatherman solved 2024-02-26T16:33:44.047Z
  • Meg solved 2024-02-26T16:38:12.910Z
  • DCBilly solved 2024-02-26T16:56:10.028Z
  • Mikey G solved 2024-02-26T17:19:24.186Z
  • Carolyn solved 2024-02-26T19:29:12.530Z
  • woozy solved 2024-02-26T19:32:20.005Z
  • dannyvee solved 2024-02-26T20:08:06.096Z
  • michaelm solved 2024-02-26T20:15:04.018Z
  • DrTom solved 2024-02-26T20:17:47.174Z
  • I K Snamhcok solved 2024-02-26T21:02:07.606Z
  • FrankieHeck solved 2024-02-26T21:11:31.791Z
  • markhr solved 2024-02-26T21:13:02.705Z
  • heidi solved 2024-02-26T21:18:40.133Z
  • BarbaraK solved 2024-02-26T21:52:17.824Z
  • hoover solved 2024-02-26T22:20:16.121Z
  • Anita and Steve solved 2024-02-26T22:23:33.737Z
  • Gutman solved 2024-02-26T22:40:57.757Z
  • KayW solved 2024-02-26T23:18:13.163Z
  • CPJohnson solved 2024-02-26T23:36:30.793Z
  • Cindy Heisler solved 2024-02-26T23:45:23.289Z
  • HeadinHome solved 2024-02-27T01:00:29.666Z
  • Rufus T Firefly solved 2024-02-27T01:07:16.820Z
  • Tyrpmom solved 2024-02-27T02:09:14.251Z
  • Darth solved 2024-02-27T04:15:37.767Z
  • Johnny Luau solved 2024-02-27T05:21:14.383Z
  • DJB solved 2024-02-27T08:31:08.942Z
  • Abide solved 2024-02-27T13:43:34.625Z
  • MatthewL solved 2024-02-27T14:39:18.373Z
  • lbray53 solved 2024-02-27T19:17:21.538Z
  • Sharkicicles solved 2024-02-27T20:15:46.823Z
  • Alvibu67 solved 2024-02-27T21:13:12.288Z
  • JM solved 2024-02-27T21:50:03.251Z
  • Adam Simon Levine solved 2024-02-28T04:04:30.964Z
  • Dow Jones solved 2024-02-28T05:45:14.949Z
  • Laura M solved 2024-02-28T07:20:09.495Z
  • Eric Porter solved 2024-02-28T12:10:06.787Z
  • LarsCaine solved 2024-02-28T14:18:39.292Z
  • JHSeeman solved 2024-02-28T14:28:54.852Z
  • frostyjhammer solved 2024-02-28T15:38:54.420Z
  • david solved 2024-02-28T15:43:37.704Z
  • Ergcat solved 2024-02-28T15:52:16.664Z
  • Susan solved 2024-02-28T15:55:12.935Z
  • ajk solved 2024-02-28T17:28:49.188Z
  • edestlin solved 2024-02-28T18:26:19.386Z
  • Jaclyn solved 2024-02-28T18:27:26.393Z
  • Jeremy Smith solved 2024-02-28T23:02:13.047Z
  • andeux solved 2024-02-29T03:40:28.547Z
  • Mr Tex solved 2024-02-29T09:15:15.948Z
  • nikhilisvalid solved 2024-02-29T18:38:02.660Z
  • whimsy solved 2024-02-29T20:11:29.509Z
  • Steve M solved 2024-02-29T20:13:37.742Z
  • bhamren solved 2024-02-29T22:25:27.732Z
  • SJMcK solved 2024-02-29T22:26:38.697Z
  • Tom Wilson solved 2024-02-29T22:34:16.523Z
  • JeffTurnham solved 2024-03-01T05:09:40.228Z
  • axmszr solved 2024-03-01T06:05:46.941Z
  • Philip Chow solved 2024-03-01T12:32:43.522Z
  • Charles Montpetit solved 2024-03-03T01:40:46.162Z
  • bergie solved 2024-03-03T02:42:00.051Z
  • Naptown Kid solved 2024-03-03T04:30:45.156Z
  • SJ solved 2024-03-03T10:40:45.668Z
  • Qmark solved 2024-03-05T14:11:05.388Z
  • cipher8669 solved 2024-03-28T18:28:15.564Z
  • Devoid solved 2024-03-31T17:55:15.803Z

Comments

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  • Hector 2s · 2024-02-26T05:16:22.417Z
    Haha!
    • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-26T13:35:07.093Z
      Glad you enjoyed it, Hector.
    • Berto 3s · 2024-02-26T12:18:01.123Z
      Was looking for ON and NEST for a minute there lol
      • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-26T13:36:49.478Z
        Yes, I supposed I could've also used something like "AWN" and "EST", Berto. Thanks for solving!
      • Bird Lives 3s · 2024-02-26T12:51:51.297Z
        What a fun way to start the week, and praise be to symmetry.
        I found the three slanters, reread the prompt closely and guessed the answer, then backsolved. I found the "I," but even then, I didn't see how it was going to play out till I got to the M and MAI, then finished the rest with a smile on my face.
        • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-26T13:38:29.521Z
          Thanks, Jay. Yeah, it was tricky maintaining symmetry for those 3 slanters. I think I went thru about 10 different grid designs.
        • DIS 🤓6:57 · 2024-02-26T13:44:59.541Z
          This was brilliant. Of course, that's just what I think.
          • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-26T14:36:37.224Z
            I like the way you think, DIS. 😄
          • Alex Sisti 3s · 2024-02-26T14:09:25.269Z
            Caught all the "oped" endings and the "BIASED OPINION PIECES," and then sounded out the six entries. Clever, clean and as usual, symmet-RICK-al. (Speaking of which, do you suppose we could ever collaborate with Brian Cimmet and do a Cimmet-Rick-Al puzzle? I'll let myself out now...).
            • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-26T14:38:18.324Z
              I love that idea, Al! Let's do it! 😁
              • FrankieHeck 🤓7:35 · 2024-02-26T21:12:31.944Z
                I am going to be eagerly awaiting this!
              • Meg 2s · 2024-02-26T16:38:41.222Z
                That was very nice. Love the symmetry.
                • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-26T17:22:13.899Z
                  Thanks, Meg. This was my first attempt at diagonal symmetry. Watch out now, solvers! :)
                • Carolyn 2s · 2024-02-26T19:30:35.523Z
                  Very clever. I fell into your trap before seeing the whole picture. Very nice!
                  • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-26T20:43:21.771Z
                    Thanks, Carolyn. That "trap" has turned out to be deeper than I had anticipated. 😄
                  • michaelm 🤓4:13 · 2024-02-26T20:20:46.844Z
                    Ooh ahh wha huh AHA. IMHOme finally. And humbled indeed. Thanks, Cap'n Rick! LOL
                    • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-26T20:45:59.860Z
                      IMHO you did a great job, Michael! Thanks for solving!
                    • FrankieHeck 🤓7:35 · 2024-02-26T21:12:54.321Z
                      Very fun!
                      • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-26T21:46:41.244Z
                        Thanks, Frankie! Glad you enjoyed it!
                      • DrTom 3s · 2024-02-26T20:37:52.193Z
                        Did it the “hard” (non logical) way. Saw the opeds and looked at the clues IMH -PERFECT, then BPY, WHAT????. I went with IMHO just because (having first done OPED and SANE (letters in a row on slant) I went back and found biased opinion but never “pieces”? Then finally I sounded it out…DELIGHTFUL and so typically Rickish. Thank you.
                        • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-26T23:11:55.281Z
                          Thanks, DrTom. There were a couple of different ways to attack this one, but a lot of folks got bogged down in the conversion of 6 clues/entries to 4 letters in the answer. I did a meta a couple of years ago called "A Farewell to R's" in which I embedded PAK THE CAW INN HAW VID YOD. That was sorta the inspiration for this one.
                        • hoover 6s · 2024-02-26T22:23:14.035Z
                          Whew! I found the diagonal words and tried a few bad guesses (the first of which was OPED) before going back to the puzzle and realizing that OPED was embedded in a bunch of the clues... That led me to IMHPBY, from which it was but a short hop to the right answer.
                          • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-26T23:15:27.969Z
                            Thanks for solving, hoover! As I expected, "OPED" is the most-submitted wrong answer. That's why I cautioned everyone to not be hasty in my intro. Glad you enjoyed it!
                          • KayW 🤓6:01 · 2024-02-26T23:19:43.487Z
                            The advantage of a poor memory. I got to solve this twice, and loved it just as much the second time around! (and haha. When re-solving, I'm always just a little anxious that I WONT be able to find the answer at all the second time)
                            • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-27T00:35:12.585Z
                              Thanks, Kay. Yes, that would be quite embarrassing if a Test Solver couldn't re-solve when a meta was published. Glad you were able to pull it off a second time! This wasn't any easy one.
                            • Cindy Heisler 3s · 2024-02-26T23:49:18.341Z
                              I found the diagonal words and got oped. I then submitted several wrong answers before being nudged to the next step by a kindly muggle. Very clever meta. Thanks!
                              • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-27T00:37:49.704Z
                                Thank you, Cindy. Yes, the leap from OPED to the 6 clues to verbalizing the 6 entries was a tall order. Thanks for hanging in there, though, and solving this puppy!
                              • HeadinHome 🤓1:35 · 2024-02-27T01:01:49.822Z
                                Tried several ways to submit “Op Ed.” Back to the drawing board, and remembered there were some very odd little clues (one being 1A!). Then it was off to the races. So fun!
                                • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-27T01:52:10.591Z
                                  Nice work, Wendy! Glad you enjoyed it.
                                • Tyrpmom 2s · 2024-02-27T02:18:12.023Z
                                  I couldn’t resist trying OPED. Really good stuff.
                                  • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-27T03:22:12.159Z
                                    You and virtually everyone else, Beth. 😄 Glad you enjoyed it!
                                  • Darth 20:50 · 2024-02-27T04:16:36.410Z
                                    Awesome idea, and great construction, Cap'n! Loved it! =)
                                    • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-27T13:38:26.150Z
                                      Thank you, Darth! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
                                    • MatthewL 🤓6:45 · 2024-02-27T14:41:44.717Z
                                      Finally got it, after being led by the nose to the correct solution. Really violated one of my most important meta solving rules -- when you don't see anything else, look at the clues. Which, of course, I never did, until prompted to do so. Doh! Thanks for the puzzle, Cap'n!
                                      • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-27T18:12:19.231Z
                                        Thanks for solving, Matthew. Yeah, we can't forget those clues. I have to keep telling myself that too!
                                      • Sharkicicles 1s · 2024-02-27T20:21:18.457Z
                                        Wow! I did not see the three slanters in the grid until after solving it. Even more impressed. (Just solved from OPED in the clues.)
                                        • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-27T20:52:02.778Z
                                          Thanks, Sharkicicles. I kinda figured that those 3 slanters would be difficult to spot, so I wanted to give folks another way to get to OPED via the clues.
                                        • JM 🤓11:54 · 2024-02-27T21:55:59.559Z
                                          I need an ice pack for when I slapped my forehead. Maybe even a blue-tent-concussion-protocol. Elegant puzzle!
                                          • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-27T23:11:03.412Z
                                            Ha ha! Thanks, JM. Please don't hurt yourself!
                                          • Laura M 🤓8:28 · 2024-02-28T07:24:38.702Z
                                            Perfect, but too clever for me! I submitted OP ED even though I knew it was wrong, because I couldn't figure out what on Earth I was supposed to be sounding out! I needed the third nudge, and then forehead slap.
                                            • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-28T13:14:28.936Z
                                              Don't feel bad, LauraM. A lot of folks got tripped up by the "soundex" step.
                                            • Ergcat 18:55 · 2024-02-28T15:53:17.933Z
                                              Very clever! I needed the nudges…. Especially the last 3 to know what to do with the “slanted” letters! Thank you for a real mind twister!
                                              • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-28T16:50:42.980Z
                                                Thanks for sticking with it, Elaine!
                                              • ajk 7:11 · 2024-02-28T17:29:45.943Z
                                                lol needed nudge 3, even though I had spotted the unusual nature of the 1A and (of course) 22A clues. Very nicely done, thanks.
                                                • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-02-28T18:01:09.515Z
                                                  Thanks, Alan. Glad you enjoyed it.
                                                • SJMcK 🤓8:23 · 2024-02-29T22:29:37.827Z
                                                  IMHO, “BIASED OPINION PIECES” does not suggest “op-ed”, it suggests “op-eds.” Plural clue, plural answer. Still solved it though. Thanks.
                                                  • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-03-01T03:01:31.419Z
                                                    Thanks for solving, SJMcK. This particular puzzle was tricky to construct because I needed to maintain both rotational and diagonal symmetry. The diagonal “BIASED OPINION PIECES” phrase/hint (which wouldn't have been symmetrical without PIECES being plural) was intended to hint at the 6 clues ending in "oped", or in other words, the 6 "opeds" among the clues whose answers led to INN MAI HUM BLO PIN YEN ("IMHO").
                                                  • Philip Chow 🤓6:03 · 2024-03-01T12:39:41.673Z
                                                    so good.... i needed hint 4... i didn't sound them out 😭😭😭 which was so stupid because i sounded out the 3 diagonal entries over and over slowly but not the 6 3-letter words... the gratuitous cluing of "pooped" right off the bat at 1A let me know something was going on with that entry... very nice construction - love when a puzzle has multiple (and logical) layers... i'm just so mad at myself i didn't see it 😝
                                                    • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-03-01T14:11:56.231Z
                                                      Thanks, Phil. Yeah, there was a lot going on with this one. Glad you liked it!
                                                    • Qmark 5s · 2024-03-05T14:14:54.888Z
                                                      Got to this a week late, but didn't peek at the solution. I found the 3 slanted entries, made the "OPED" connection, but needed nudge 3 to remind me to look in the clues for the next step. Got the rest without nudges...thanks for another great meta Cap'n Rick! P.S. I loved how the entry "Blo" made a nice transition from "hum-ble" to "o-pinion".
                                                      • Capn Rick constructor · 2024-03-05T16:00:54.680Z
                                                        Glad you were able to get to this one, Qmark. Yes, I needed to get creative to find a way to transition from 6 grid entries to 4 letters. 😄
                                                      1A
                                                      Quaint place to stay when you're pooped
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                                                      Across
                                                      1. 1A
                                                        Quaint place to stay when you're pooped
                                                      2. 4A
                                                        Southern California sch.
                                                      3. 8A
                                                        Gem measures
                                                      4. 14A
                                                        "... ___ thousand times..."
                                                      5. 15A
                                                        Apiece
                                                      6. 16A
                                                        Maine national park
                                                      7. 17A
                                                        Gallery events
                                                      8. 19A
                                                        Plant science
                                                      9. 20A
                                                        Ocean Spray tidbit
                                                      10. 21A
                                                        "To err is human. To ___ is pirate."
                                                      11. 22A
                                                        ___ tai, cocktail that many have toped
                                                      12. 23A
                                                        Isn't wrong?
                                                      13. 24A
                                                        Perceptions
                                                      14. 27A
                                                        Rigel or Spica
                                                      15. 29A
                                                        OB/GYN's prefix with -gram
                                                      16. 30A
                                                        Approximately
                                                      17. 33A
                                                        Dorm VIPs
                                                      18. 35A
                                                        Artist's medium
                                                      19. 37A
                                                        Engine sound made by a moped
                                                      20. 40A
                                                        Angled, like three helpful "entries" in this grid
                                                      21. 42A
                                                        Rain-___, bubble gum brand that was colorfully developed
                                                      22. 43A
                                                        Ambien or Lunesta, e.g.
                                                      23. 45A
                                                        Tic-___-toe
                                                      24. 47A
                                                        Tidy
                                                      25. 48A
                                                        Unpaid TV spots
                                                      26. 50A
                                                        Orange-red gemstones
                                                      27. 54A
                                                        Beginner
                                                      28. 57A
                                                        Nair rival, once
                                                      29. 58A
                                                        Secret ATM code that you hope is never snooped
                                                      30. 60A
                                                        Split ___ soup
                                                      31. 61A
                                                        Former Chrysler head Lee
                                                      32. 63A
                                                        Password preceder
                                                      33. 65A
                                                        Hypothetically
                                                      34. 66A
                                                        Italian sculptor Nicola or Giovanni
                                                      35. 67A
                                                        Spitting sound
                                                      36. 68A
                                                        Architect I.M. ___
                                                      37. 69A
                                                        "___ on TV"
                                                      38. 70A
                                                        Nile reptiles
                                                      39. 71A
                                                        Craving for which you may have long hoped
                                                      Down
                                                      1. 1D
                                                        Riding with the meter running
                                                      2. 2D
                                                        "Walker, Texas Ranger" star
                                                      3. 3D
                                                        Swimming
                                                      4. 4D
                                                        Sail the seven ___
                                                      5. 5D
                                                        Certain Surrealist paintings
                                                      6. 6D
                                                        Play parts
                                                      7. 7D
                                                        Sounds of hesitation
                                                      8. 8D
                                                        Convertible coupe
                                                      9. 9D
                                                        Squirrel snack
                                                      10. 10D
                                                        Squealer
                                                      11. 11D
                                                        1949 Tracy/Hepburn classic
                                                      12. 12D
                                                        Singer Turner
                                                      13. 13D
                                                        "Don't ___ didn't warn you!"
                                                      14. 18D
                                                        Shankar's instrument
                                                      15. 21D
                                                        In ___ (agitated)
                                                      16. 25D
                                                        Straight-up time
                                                      17. 26D
                                                        ___ few rounds
                                                      18. 28D
                                                        Speak hoarsely
                                                      19. 31D
                                                        "Weekend Update" show, for short
                                                      20. 32D
                                                        Oklahoma native
                                                      21. 34D
                                                        Applied haphazardly, as paint
                                                      22. 36D
                                                        Smartphone ancestors: Abbr.
                                                      23. 37D
                                                        QVC alternative
                                                      24. 38D
                                                        Diminutive suffix
                                                      25. 39D
                                                        Grinch's trait
                                                      26. 41D
                                                        Tyler of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"
                                                      27. 44D
                                                        Summer on the Seine
                                                      28. 46D
                                                        Camp craft
                                                      29. 49D
                                                        Tours of duty
                                                      30. 51D
                                                        Make another Xerox of
                                                      31. 52D
                                                        Formal order
                                                      32. 53D
                                                        Remain at home
                                                      33. 55D
                                                        Think out loud (preferably slowly and clearly for this meta)
                                                      34. 56D
                                                        Enjoy immensely
                                                      35. 58D
                                                        Insect stage
                                                      36. 59D
                                                        Egyptian goddess
                                                      37. 62D
                                                        Greek letters
                                                      38. 64D
                                                        "Norma ___"
                                                      39. 65D
                                                        Brewpub designation
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