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Where's That Cat?

· By Wendy Walker · Published 2023-08-16T04:01:22.141Z

Meta Prompt
The meta answer is the formal name of the constructor's furry friend.
I originally made this puzzle just for myself and a few friends -- but for some reason Dr. Tom thought it would make a good MEOW. In fact, the metanism that he initially tried when solving this one inspired him to create an entirely new puzzle -- which doubtless you'll have the pleasure of seeing shortly! Thanks to Tom and my test solvers for suggesting a couple of tweaks that made this one a lot more fun. Now: GO FIND THAT CAT!
Checking for previous play data...

Leaderboard (updated hourly)

  • sledge solved 2023-08-16T05:14:34.934Z
  • hoover solved 2023-08-16T12:16:43.649Z
  • imontoo solved 2023-08-16T12:53:20.975Z
  • Mwoychick solved 2023-08-16T13:07:02.881Z
  • JM solved 2023-08-16T13:12:18.356Z
  • Meg solved 2023-08-16T13:12:30.194Z
  • whimsy solved 2023-08-16T13:37:27.246Z
  • rjy solved 2023-08-16T13:39:37.927Z
  • Schmeel solved 2023-08-16T13:48:23.530Z
  • Tom Wilson solved 2023-08-16T13:51:46.735Z
  • Pair O Ducks solved 2023-08-16T13:51:54.086Z
  • I K Snamhcok solved 2023-08-16T13:55:39.140Z
  • MatthewL solved 2023-08-16T14:09:23.498Z
  • boharr solved 2023-08-16T14:09:48.501Z
  • BarbaraK solved 2023-08-16T14:24:00.177Z
  • Tim solved 2023-08-16T14:27:03.104Z
  • Hector solved 2023-08-16T14:53:59.171Z
  • merlinnimue solved 2023-08-16T14:55:55.164Z
  • ajk solved 2023-08-16T15:41:53.101Z
  • CPJohnson solved 2023-08-16T15:56:08.884Z
  • DrButtBeard solved 2023-08-16T15:57:42.854Z
  • Cindy Heisler solved 2023-08-16T16:07:00.835Z
  • DIS solved 2023-08-16T16:21:49.739Z
  • heidi solved 2023-08-16T16:25:44.646Z
  • markhr solved 2023-08-16T16:28:28.538Z
  • lbray53 solved 2023-08-16T16:47:18.371Z
  • Laura M solved 2023-08-16T17:40:45.188Z
  • Darth solved 2023-08-16T18:13:34.964Z
  • Gutman solved 2023-08-16T18:15:53.661Z
  • Sharkicicles solved 2023-08-16T18:18:13.043Z
  • HeadinHome solved 2023-08-16T18:34:53.714Z
  • Tyrpmom solved 2023-08-16T18:55:30.169Z
  • Cindy Weatherman solved 2023-08-16T20:46:52.634Z
  • Abide solved 2023-08-16T20:50:45.258Z
  • Berto solved 2023-08-16T21:13:24.260Z
  • ReB solved 2023-08-17T00:21:43.608Z
  • SeamusOL solved 2023-08-17T00:42:47.033Z
  • Alex Sisti solved 2023-08-17T01:46:56.116Z
  • woozy solved 2023-08-17T02:01:00.104Z
  • BrennerTJ solved 2023-08-17T03:42:05.232Z
  • Philip Chow solved 2023-08-17T03:52:03.556Z
  • Dow Jones solved 2023-08-17T04:41:19.616Z
  • Chelseakcm solved 2023-08-17T13:54:57.497Z
  • KayW solved 2023-08-17T18:20:57.953Z
  • Katiedid solved 2023-08-17T19:52:46.069Z
  • Jaclyn solved 2023-08-17T20:47:01.021Z
  • Rufus T Firefly solved 2023-08-18T14:21:08.713Z
  • bhamren solved 2023-08-18T15:36:11.234Z
  • DrTom solved 2023-08-19T02:25:17.342Z
  • andeux solved 2023-08-19T04:50:02.761Z
  • michaelm solved 2023-08-20T02:34:09.259Z
  • Mikey G solved 2023-08-20T13:51:12.207Z
  • DCBilly solved 2023-08-22T15:03:53.869Z

Comments

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  • hoover 4s · 2023-08-16T12:17:23.549Z
    Nice one! Ahhh... that explains some of the cluing. ;)
    • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-16T13:48:48.204Z
      Thanks! Yes, I had fun picking words starting with CAT!
    • imontoo 3s · 2023-08-16T12:54:04.514Z
      Thanks, Wendy! That was fun.
      • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-16T13:48:59.404Z
        Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for solving!
      • Meg 4s · 2023-08-16T13:14:03.248Z
        I remember the answer from when I did this puzzle a while ago, but I have no idea what the mechanism is.
        • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-16T13:48:10.237Z
          CATs in the clues!
        • Mwoychick 5:06 · 2023-08-16T13:08:04.156Z
          For some reason I thought I would know this but I didn't! Thanks for the fun puzzle, Wendy!
          • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-16T13:50:10.444Z
            You are very welcome, Mark! I did not pick the name -- it came with her when she arrived here at age nine years.
          • Tom Wilson 🤓3:17 · 2023-08-16T13:52:05.979Z
            Thanks, Wendy!
            • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-17T00:10:33.909Z
              Thank YOU for solving, Tom!
            • whimsy 🤓4:30 · 2023-08-16T13:45:01.432Z
              Almost forgot what the answer was and how to reach it -- whew, remembered! Did not want to provoke a certain fluffer! ᓚᘏᗢ
              • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-17T00:11:42.844Z
                The only thing that annoys her these days is my failure to feed her on time!
              • Meg 4s · 2023-08-16T13:50:56.814Z
                I remembered the path! Brain is still functioning.
                • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-17T00:12:17.083Z
                  Meg. You have solved the mega-meta. Your brain function was never in question.
                • BarbaraK 2s · 2023-08-16T14:24:48.796Z
                  👏👏
                  • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-17T00:12:38.980Z
                    Thanks, Barbara! Hope you enjoying OBX.
                  • boharr 3s · 2023-08-16T14:10:42.587Z
                    I once had a dog named Typo. Thanks for the puzzle.
                    • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-17T00:13:13.836Z
                      Haha! Great name. Thanks for solving!
                    • MatthewL 🤓3:06 · 2023-08-16T14:12:15.303Z
                      Took 2 tries, because I can't read numbers, apparently (mixed up 28A for 31A). Thought PATISA was kind of a strange name, but then I thought, well, it is Wendy's cat. Thanks for the puzzle.
                      • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-17T00:14:32.700Z
                        Ha! I have actually never named a cat -- they always come with names from the shelter or their prior owners. I kinda like PATISA, though ...
                      • merlinnimue 🤓3:24 · 2023-08-16T15:05:40.720Z
                        This puzzle was LIT
                        I took a bit longer to submit cause I wanted to make sure... also I fell through a few rabbit holes, but I was eventually able to CATch on to the metanism... I deserve any and all boos
                        I will never cease to be amazed by you smarties and your coming up with ideas and your making puzzles your getting new ideas from other puzzles and... I'm just sad and frustrated I can't get off the starting block, but thats a me problem, ill just have to get used to being less than mediocre at puzzles
                        (Also, didn't ALF eat cats?... this is why I can't have nice things, I have to ruin it all)
                        • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-17T00:15:59.276Z
                          LOL! So glad you solved! Just keep doing puzzles and it's amazing how you'll improve.
                        • ajk 🤓3:10 · 2023-08-16T15:42:18.739Z
                          Ha, I wondered if this was the one you were talking about. Still fun the second time around, thanks. :)
                          • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-17T00:16:16.540Z
                            Alan, thanks for putting up with my rerun!
                          • Laura M 🤓4:12 · 2023-08-16T17:41:59.863Z
                            Fun, thanks!
                            • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-17T00:16:31.068Z
                              You are welcome -- thanks for solving, Laura!
                            • HeadinHome 🤓2:15 · 2023-08-16T18:41:05.208Z
                              Well I spent a little time looking under CARS for that cat! (There are three CARs in the puzzle: under the first I found Eli, under the third I found Ike… but under the 2nd was E_T. (Elie Tike?). Nope. ( : THEN there was of course a couch in the puzzle, and I looked both on and under that. On the PDF, the word “sofa” (IKEA clue) has “a tab” on top of it. A tabby cat? Nope. And then there were POLECA(t)S and TWEE(t)IE birds, as well other animals… Sylvester?? Finally spotted CAT in two clues close together (15A, 16A) and SMH. So simple. Thanks for the fun!
                              • ajk 🤓3:10 · 2023-08-16T19:02:42.673Z
                                Note to self: be on the lookout for the inevitable future WW puzzle with cats under cars :)
                                • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-17T00:17:14.932Z
                                  OOO -- Alan's right! That's an awesome idea! Thanks for solving, O.W.!
                                  • HeadinHome 🤓2:15 · 2023-08-17T14:55:15.002Z
                                    Always a pleasure, WW!
                                • Tyrpmom 2s · 2023-08-16T18:57:20.617Z
                                  What’s the informal cat name?
                                  • Abide 4s · 2023-08-16T21:03:16.468Z
                                    Tina.
                                    • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-17T00:18:28.988Z
                                      Her former owners named her Patina and that is what's on the microchip registry. Their nickname for her was Tee-tee, but that was just not going to happen in THIS household.
                                    • Abide 4s · 2023-08-16T21:02:45.592Z
                                      Others in the litter - Concer and Argen
                                      • ajk 🤓3:10 · 2023-08-16T21:34:56.288Z
                                        :laughing:
                                        • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-17T00:18:47.851Z
                                          LOL, Peter!!
                                        • DrTom 4:19 · 2023-08-16T21:54:43.848Z
                                          What a fun puzzle, and inspiring as well. Stay tuned for next week's dual constructed puzzle that was inspired by this one.
                                          • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-17T00:19:17.339Z
                                            Inspiring indeed! Thanks, Dr. Tom!
                                          • ReB 4s · 2023-08-17T00:26:13.721Z
                                            Very cute and cuddly meta here...It took a fresh look and then I realized what the metanism had to be - and it was indeed, a CLOWDER of cats, all symmetrically placed.
                                            • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-17T12:22:40.020Z
                                              Thanks for solving, Bob!
                                            • woozy 🤓6:26 · 2023-08-17T02:01:45.967Z
                                              Geebus. Can't believe it took me that long!
                                              • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-17T12:23:28.796Z
                                                Woozy, I'm curious: What made the lightbulb go on? Thanks for solving!
                                                • woozy 🤓6:26 · 2023-08-17T14:22:38.099Z
                                                  I was concentrating on the grid and in particualarly the three "cars". Trying anything I could think of; ypes of cats hidden in the grid? Names of cats in fiction? Things off by one letter? Looked at it off and on. Came back a few times. Eventually noticed that the title was "Find THAT cat" and not "Find the cat" which didn't really change anything. And in the evening I'm staring at the PICARD entry and thinking it specific and think PI-CARD vi PI-NTO or PI(T)D or ... and I notice "catchphrase" and think it doesn't to be clued that way and then I noticed.
                                              • KayW 🤓3:40 · 2023-08-17T18:28:02.760Z
                                                Doh!!! I saw an early version of this and completely failed. This time around my brain was in gear. But wow. How on earth do you get from that to Mark? .... Ohhhh! your OTHER furry friend.
                                                • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-21T12:03:22.444Z
                                                  Haha! Hey, he shaves MOST days ... Thanks for solving, Kay!
                                                • michaelm 🤓5:46 · 2023-08-20T02:47:56.350Z
                                                  Thanks Wendy. Just saw this on Crosshare, so thought I’d give it a go. Did you take Patina down to the Outer Banks on VACATION? 😆 After P-A-T was reminded of Patches, first cat from lo so many years ago!
                                                  • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-08-21T12:02:08.782Z
                                                    Aww, I'll bet you gave Patches a wonderful life! No, Tina stayed home when we were on vacation and a friend came over to feed her every day. Thanks so much for solving!
                                                  1A
                                                  His catchphrase was "Make it so"
                                                  1
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                                                  3
                                                  4
                                                  5
                                                  6
                                                  7
                                                  8
                                                  9
                                                  10
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                                                  12
                                                  13
                                                  14
                                                  15
                                                  16
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                                                  18
                                                  19
                                                  20
                                                  21
                                                  22
                                                  23
                                                  24
                                                  25
                                                  26
                                                  27
                                                  28
                                                  29
                                                  30
                                                  31
                                                  32
                                                  33
                                                  34
                                                  35
                                                  36
                                                  Across
                                                  1. 1A
                                                    His catchphrase was "Make it so"
                                                  2. 7A
                                                    Day after Thurs.
                                                  3. 10A
                                                    Noted Italian soprano ___ Patti; Patti LuPone is her namesake and great grand-niece
                                                  4. 12A
                                                    Potty, at Paddington Station
                                                  5. 13A
                                                    Pack starter at the Indy 500
                                                  6. 14A
                                                    Crossword constructors' favorite bird
                                                  7. 15A
                                                    She was annoyed by unsolicited advice from a hookah-smoking caterpillar
                                                  8. 16A
                                                    The catalpa, or "trumpet ___," is known for its giant heart-shaped leaves
                                                  9. 18A
                                                    Govt. agency for retirees
                                                  10. 19A
                                                    Kind of spotted bean or spotted horse
                                                  11. 20A
                                                    Wind instruments featured in "I Got You Babe" and "Kiss from a Rose"
                                                  12. 22A
                                                    Song sung around a tree
                                                  13. 24A
                                                    Lupino or Tarbell
                                                  14. 27A
                                                    Its catalog includes a DOCKSTA table and an EKTORP sofa
                                                  15. 28A
                                                    "___ from a Scandal," 2006 thriller that starred Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench
                                                  16. 30A
                                                    Boxer whose name even non-sports fans know
                                                  17. 31A
                                                    Crocs, slippers, and other comfy footwear; no laces or shoehorn required
                                                  18. 33A
                                                    Illuminated
                                                  19. 34A
                                                    Preadolescent child
                                                  20. 35A
                                                    Org. tasked with regulating drones
                                                  21. 36A
                                                    TV family whose catchy theme song involves finger-snapping
                                                  Down
                                                  1. 1D
                                                    Mamas' counterparts
                                                  2. 2D
                                                    False gods
                                                  3. 3D
                                                    Charles's glamorous wife in "Brideshead Revisited"
                                                  4. 4D
                                                    Actor Guinness or Baldwin
                                                  5. 5D
                                                    It grows in paddies
                                                  6. 6D
                                                    Genetic initials
                                                  7. 7D
                                                    Swift
                                                  8. 8D
                                                    Juliet's beau
                                                  9. 9D
                                                    Marker
                                                  10. 11D
                                                    ___ Bucco, "Sopranos" restaurateur
                                                  11. 17D
                                                    Some ER caregivers
                                                  12. 19D
                                                    Campaign pro
                                                  13. 20D
                                                    Mine find
                                                  14. 21D
                                                    Self-promote
                                                  15. 22D
                                                    Little hairs
                                                  16. 23D
                                                    Japanese dog breed
                                                  17. 24D
                                                    "That's ___ nutshell"
                                                  18. 25D
                                                    Jeans fabric
                                                  19. 26D
                                                    Donkeys
                                                  20. 28D
                                                    Require
                                                  21. 29D
                                                    Page where Peggy Noonan's column appears
                                                  22. 30D
                                                    TV alien from the planet Melmac
                                                  23. 32D
                                                    Now-defunct airline that operated Ambassadors Clubs for passengers
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