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Christmas Grieve

◆ · By DrTom · Published 2022-12-21T06:09:42.302Z

Meta Prompt
The meta answers the question; "What can dampen your Christmas"
OK, time to reduce some of the grieving, nudges follow:
Nudge 1] What kind of unpleasant or annoying things might give you grief at Christmas?
Nudge 2] Do you see anything like that in the grid?
Nudge 3] The meta answer is 8 letters long.
Nudge 4] What is a VERY common way to get letters for a meta answer.
Checking for previous play data...

Leaderboard (updated hourly)

  • Tom Wilson solved 2022-12-21T11:47:03.559Z
  • Mr Tex solved 2022-12-21T13:03:00.969Z
  • Cindy Weatherman solved 2022-12-21T13:19:38.343Z
  • Dave C solved 2022-12-21T13:37:48.141Z
  • boharr solved 2022-12-21T13:50:12.241Z
  • Meg solved 2022-12-21T14:18:20.600Z
  • DIS solved 2022-12-21T15:08:53.113Z
  • Alex Sisti solved 2022-12-21T15:17:10.569Z
  • Darth solved 2022-12-21T15:29:36.444Z
  • KayW solved 2022-12-21T15:38:41.793Z
  • Bird Lives solved 2022-12-21T16:05:35.798Z
  • Schmeel solved 2022-12-21T16:14:31.658Z
  • Hector solved 2022-12-21T16:37:48.869Z
  • heidi solved 2022-12-21T16:50:05.264Z
  • rjy solved 2022-12-21T16:54:55.081Z
  • Cindy Heisler solved 2022-12-21T16:56:52.888Z
  • woozy solved 2022-12-21T17:30:55.878Z
  • Jaclyn solved 2022-12-21T17:33:03.565Z
  • lbray53 solved 2022-12-21T17:52:02.875Z
  • JM solved 2022-12-21T18:07:21.245Z
  • dplass solved 2022-12-21T18:16:30.448Z
  • markhr solved 2022-12-21T18:21:26.054Z
  • whimsy solved 2022-12-21T20:14:38.146Z
  • Laura M solved 2022-12-21T20:25:17.111Z
  • Mwoychick solved 2022-12-21T22:17:26.300Z
  • DebbieC solved 2022-12-21T23:22:08.627Z
  • SJMcK solved 2022-12-21T23:59:50.969Z
  • HeadinHome solved 2022-12-22T01:37:51.101Z
  • I K Snamhcok solved 2022-12-22T01:50:46.828Z
  • BarbaraK solved 2022-12-22T02:15:19.230Z
  • Abide solved 2022-12-22T04:57:27.067Z
  • Qmark solved 2022-12-22T19:06:07.639Z
  • Darrell solved 2022-12-22T21:46:45.423Z
  • Ergcat solved 2022-12-23T04:16:15.483Z
  • BrennerTJ solved 2022-12-23T17:02:26.505Z
  • jbird solved 2022-12-23T18:23:54.065Z
  • Carolyn solved 2022-12-23T22:14:04.706Z
  • ReB solved 2022-12-23T22:55:54.076Z
  • CPJohnson solved 2022-12-24T00:24:13.554Z
  • Dow Jones solved 2022-12-24T07:22:20.763Z
  • edestlin solved 2022-12-24T21:41:05.762Z
  • Rufus T Firefly solved 2022-12-25T19:17:25.080Z

Comments

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  • boharr 3s · 2022-12-21T13:50:38.409Z
    Merry Christmas, DrTom.
    • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:17:53.508Z
      Thanks Bob
    • Meg 4s · 2022-12-21T14:21:13.508Z
      I had a big nudge. My brain just doesn’t naturally think that way. Thanks, Dr. T!
      • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:17:37.644Z
        Nobody's mind naturally thinks the way mine does; I believe in some states that is written into their constituion!
      • DIS 🤓6:48 · 2022-12-21T15:09:43.385Z
        You sleigh me.
        • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-21T15:24:59.993Z
          Well thank you! I'm glad you had the presents of mind to solve😂
        • Alex Sisti 3s · 2022-12-21T15:18:04.924Z
          Great puzzle, Tom. (I was thrown a little bit by 60A, which had a Christmas themed clue, but didn't figure into the meta). Merry Christmas!
          • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:17:07.051Z
            Yep, in retrospect I should have picked something else, I went "snow blind" trying to clue that in a way more people would know it.
          • Darth 🤓18:10 · 2022-12-21T15:30:53.380Z
            Hohoho! Have a pun-derful Christmas, DrTom!
            • KayW 🤓13:29 · 2022-12-21T15:41:14.550Z
              Fun one! Happy holidays Dr Tom
              • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:14:08.701Z
                Thanks Kay
              • Bird Lives 3s · 2022-12-21T16:29:22.832Z
                After seeing the prompt and the constructor's name, I knew the answer and wasn't going to bother filling in the grid. I'm glad I did.. Why miss all the pun?
                • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:13:59.589Z
                  Absolutely, who wants missed puns! (I mean I can spin a pun better than a dreidel!)
                • Cindy Heisler 4s · 2022-12-21T16:59:07.516Z
                  As much fun this time around. Perfect puzzle for this week. Merry Christmas! 🎄🎅🦌
                  • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:11:40.166Z
                    Thank you to one of my loyal testers - I've given you guys a workout recently
                  • rjy 3s · 2022-12-21T16:58:07.364Z
                    Yule never disappoint with the wacky clueing! Happy, happy, merry, merry, DrTom!
                    • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:11:08.325Z
                      I'll log that under a vote for wacky clueing (and puns of course)
                    • woozy 🤓19:38 · 2022-12-21T17:32:25.956Z
                      Okay... that was silly. But you probably should have had a different clue for 60A.
                      Tough one though. It's hard for me to think on so high a level.
                      • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:07:51.709Z
                        I find it hard to think when high too...
                      • dplass 11:53 · 2022-12-21T18:19:27.690Z
                        Nice. Thanks for the puzzle and Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah and Joyous Kwanzaa and Happy New Year
                        • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:07:31.285Z
                          Way to be all inclusive Dave
                          • dplass 11:53 · 2022-12-24T16:39:50.087Z
                            That's one of my things.
                        • Laura M 🤓15:47 · 2022-12-21T20:30:35.797Z
                          My inner Scrooge enjoyed all the references to holiday annoyances!
                          • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:07:10.917Z
                            Well thanks and may all your Bah's this season come from sheep!
                          • whimsy 🤓19:44 · 2022-12-21T21:12:57.179Z
                            I nose how to solve this one! Thanks, DrTom!
                            • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:06:35.229Z
                              That's cause yer bright!
                            • Mwoychick 🤓12:16 · 2022-12-21T22:18:26.174Z
                              Deer Dr. Tom, thanks for the puzzle! Mark
                              • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:06:07.933Z
                                Thanks Mark, "I hope your opinion of it grows", he said appreciatively!
                              • HeadinHome 🤓9:00 · 2022-12-22T01:43:45.648Z
                                As usual, the clever cluing full of the personality we have come to know and love (as is the meta… a classic Dr. Tom)! Thanks, and Merry Christmas!
                                • I K Snamhcok 3s · 2022-12-22T01:52:53.950Z
                                  Enjoy your holidays, Dr. T!
                                  • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:18:42.036Z
                                    Thanks Chris!
                                  • Qmark 3s · 2022-12-22T19:06:22.407Z
                                    Fun puzzle...thanks Dr Tom!
                                    • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:03:32.238Z
                                      So glad you enjoyed!
                                      • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:18:57.773Z
                                        Thank you!
                                      • Carolyn 3s · 2022-12-23T22:15:19.528Z
                                        Just got to this but didn't look at the nudges. Cute and fun break during crazy holiday prep. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
                                        • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:03:17.734Z
                                          Thanks for solving - and Merry Christmas
                                        • ReB 3s · 2022-12-23T23:08:59.790Z
                                          I was stuck because I just couldn't get the first letter to 62A until I finally gave up and had Crosshare solve it. Then with that word fresh on my mind, when I looked back and saw 27A, I remembered that 62A was the name of one of his reindeer - and immediately thought of a Dr. Tom pun on "reindeer" that fit the title - and then it didn't take long to prove my hypothesis since I already had identified six possible theme words that were in the proper spots.
                                          • DrTom constructor · 2022-12-24T00:02:53.398Z
                                            So happy you enjoyed it. Hopefully it will be enough fun to caribou you through the holidays!
                                          Play today's daily mini crossword
                                          1A
                                          It's a fissure man
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                                          Across
                                          1. 1A
                                            It's a fissure man
                                          2. 6A
                                            Guy known for his rapier-like qualities
                                          3. 10A
                                            Initial breathing disease
                                          4. 14A
                                            "He wouldn't ___ ___ fly"
                                          5. 15A
                                            XIX x LIII
                                          6. 16A
                                            43,560 square feet
                                          7. 17A
                                            Rating for a bad movie
                                          8. 18A
                                            Annapolis students, for short
                                          9. 19A
                                            British predecessor to the Uzi
                                          10. 20A
                                            Nickname of Leo Durocher
                                          11. 22A
                                            Lucy's love
                                          12. 24A
                                            Youngest woman ever in the U.S. Cong.
                                          13. 25A
                                            Fitting name for a smart guy
                                          14. 27A
                                            ___ got busted for drunken guiding (How do you think he got that red nose?)
                                          15. 29A
                                            When I lectured my students would ___ ___ my every word (sure they did Tom, sure they did)
                                          16. 33A
                                            The "p" in m.p.g.
                                          17. 34A
                                            Flight data, briefly
                                          18. 35A
                                            Big name in computer games
                                          19. 37A
                                            Bad treatment suffered at the hands of surly Department Store employees
                                          20. 41A
                                            Concerning, initially, in texts
                                          21. 42A
                                            Description for the majority of Holiday Ads/Movies/Parties
                                          22. 44A
                                            Thor or Odin
                                          23. 45A
                                            Disposition of many of the rambunctious kids sitting on Santa's lap
                                          24. 48A
                                            ___ Fein
                                          25. 49A
                                            Plod along
                                          26. 50A
                                            Hit TV show with many spin-offs
                                          27. 52A
                                            Do better than
                                          28. 54A
                                            Tom Sawyer author's real last name
                                          29. 58A
                                            First name of the spy Garbo played
                                          30. 59A
                                            Energy level after a 20 (or 21) K race
                                          31. 60A
                                            Went on a "Christmas Vacation" with cousin Eddie
                                          32. 62A
                                            ___ is late for work because he went to a party and got lost
                                          33. 66A
                                            Slaughter in Cooperstown
                                          34. 68A
                                            Word for online scammers who take your money but never send the gift
                                          35. 70A
                                            One hundredth of a rupee
                                          36. 71A
                                            Tourist destination city in India
                                          37. 72A
                                            Finch food
                                          38. 73A
                                            Worry brought about by wondering if you'll ever get everything done in time for the holidays
                                          39. 74A
                                            Fellow shoppers who steal your parking spot or push ahead of you in line
                                          40. 75A
                                            Blows up the dam thing
                                          41. 76A
                                            California ski resort
                                          Down
                                          1. 1D
                                            An IOU, as we recently learned
                                          2. 2D
                                            Deep Purple song that demanded quiet
                                          3. 3D
                                            Johnson from "Laugh-In"
                                          4. 4D
                                            Prison camps
                                          5. 5D
                                            Henner from "Taxi"
                                          6. 6D
                                            Delightful Monday distraction
                                          7. 7D
                                            All fired up
                                          8. 8D
                                            Autumn drink
                                          9. 9D
                                            Sycophant
                                          10. 10D
                                            "___ in cat"
                                          11. 11D
                                            In base 8
                                          12. 12D
                                            Before surgery
                                          13. 13D
                                            Brosnan and Craig's "M"
                                          14. 21D
                                            What you buy if the dealer has no Coke
                                          15. 23D
                                            Something that comes to mind
                                          16. 26D
                                            The brothers from "Fargo"
                                          17. 28D
                                            Sun, e.g.
                                          18. 29D
                                            Chopped
                                          19. 30D
                                            Cutting edge product from Gillette
                                          20. 31D
                                            Washington team, briefly
                                          21. 32D
                                            Kiwi mystery writer Marsh
                                          22. 36D
                                            Per ___ (yearly)
                                          23. 38D
                                            Unfortunately named citrus
                                          24. 39D
                                            Before long
                                          25. 40D
                                            Barely outscore
                                          26. 43D
                                            Inward
                                          27. 46D
                                            Channel where you'd find Fred Astaire. John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara
                                          28. 47D
                                            WWI battle river in Flanders
                                          29. 49D
                                            Bowzer's band
                                          30. 51D
                                            Be bullish
                                          31. 53D
                                            Pull into a motel
                                          32. 54D
                                            Evident
                                          33. 55D
                                            A feature of a unicorn
                                          34. 56D
                                            What we are not supposed to use when commenting on solving a puzzle
                                          35. 57D
                                            Sinful Pitt and Spacey movie
                                          36. 61D
                                            A challenge where you do not mind losing
                                          37. 63D
                                            Approaching
                                          38. 64D
                                            Old sign that meant happy motoring
                                          39. 65D
                                            Miles or dollars per hour, e.g.
                                          40. 67D
                                            Ed.'s request
                                          41. 69D
                                            Mormons, initially
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