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The First Noel (Meta)

◆ · By DavyGravy · Published 2024-12-23T11:00:04.779Z

Meta Prompt
The meta answer deals with Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Muggles! However it is you celebrate this time of year, I hope it is filled with peace, joy . . . and this holiday puzzle! Thank you to @Abide for his editing expertise, @Joe Ross for the formatting info, and @WendyWalker and @AlSisti for not only test solving - but for offering excellent suggestions to make this one come together. Updates during the week, nudges on Christmas Day, and solution on Sunday. Enjoy!
Checking for previous play data...

Leaderboard (updated hourly)

  • Schmeel solved 2024-12-23T12:29:05.614Z
  • Darth solved 2024-12-23T14:22:53.469Z
  • DIS solved 2024-12-23T14:35:53.615Z
  • JM solved 2024-12-23T14:40:46.727Z
  • KayW solved 2024-12-23T15:42:08.448Z
  • Dave C solved 2024-12-23T16:01:59.992Z
  • I K Snamhcok solved 2024-12-23T16:17:03.203Z
  • MatthewL solved 2024-12-23T17:17:54.901Z
  • Hector solved 2024-12-23T17:39:49.390Z
  • DaBromsJames solved 2024-12-23T18:14:09.680Z
  • Meg solved 2024-12-23T18:14:42.336Z
  • boharr solved 2024-12-23T18:16:08.941Z
  • omnilynx solved 2024-12-23T18:41:14.623Z
  • Cindy Weatherman solved 2024-12-23T19:46:49.221Z
  • ajk solved 2024-12-23T20:57:33.585Z
  • whimsy solved 2024-12-23T21:12:56.950Z
  • LarsCaine solved 2024-12-23T22:14:32.967Z
  • HeadinHome solved 2024-12-23T22:42:24.764Z
  • LB800 solved 2024-12-23T22:46:24.901Z
  • Cindy Heisler solved 2024-12-23T22:51:02.673Z
  • Eric Porter solved 2024-12-23T23:20:46.493Z
  • heidi solved 2024-12-23T23:41:18.438Z
  • BarbaraK solved 2024-12-23T23:44:04.559Z
  • CPJohnson solved 2024-12-23T23:59:05.630Z
  • markhr solved 2024-12-24T00:26:13.940Z
  • woozy solved 2024-12-24T02:41:58.489Z
  • Kulea solved 2024-12-24T02:44:18.729Z
  • ELSavage solved 2024-12-24T04:04:21.183Z
  • Anita and Steve solved 2024-12-24T07:35:22.034Z
  • Abide solved 2024-12-24T16:38:27.622Z
  • Berto solved 2024-12-24T18:28:09.858Z
  • lbray53 solved 2024-12-25T00:57:52.449Z
  • Pair O Ducks solved 2024-12-25T13:34:15.131Z
  • michaelm solved 2024-12-25T14:06:31.265Z
  • Capn Rick solved 2024-12-25T14:41:47.456Z
  • DCBilly solved 2024-12-25T15:26:41.615Z
  • kymike solved 2024-12-25T15:45:00.403Z
  • minimuggle solved 2024-12-25T16:14:09.745Z
  • FedexPope solved 2024-12-25T20:30:08.331Z
  • Sharkicicles solved 2024-12-25T23:18:01.586Z
  • Bird Lives solved 2024-12-26T03:03:21.379Z
  • InAJelly solved 2024-12-26T03:10:06.533Z
  • DrTom solved 2024-12-26T03:37:14.914Z
  • TEngstrom solved 2024-12-26T05:15:23.983Z
  • Carolyn solved 2024-12-26T05:27:45.838Z
  • Avlan solved 2024-12-26T09:41:48.003Z
  • rjy solved 2024-12-26T15:44:20.759Z
  • bhamren solved 2024-12-26T16:32:38.830Z
  • david solved 2024-12-26T21:17:14.265Z
  • hoover solved 2024-12-27T14:45:41.380Z
  • Susan solved 2024-12-27T21:53:02.748Z

Comments

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  • Darth 14:45 · 2024-12-23T14:23:59.337Z
    Fun puz and awesome construction, Dave! Merry Christmas to you and yours! :D
    • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-23T15:32:11.550Z
      Thank you Darth. That Jedi clue was for you!🤓
      • Darth 14:45 · 2024-12-25T01:09:44.308Z
        I saw that! Thanks! :D
    • KayW 🤓8:11 · 2024-12-23T15:43:41.431Z
      Fun and clever. Thanks for the holiday fun, Davy and Merry Xmas to you!
      • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-23T16:47:16.048Z
        You’re welcome. Merry Christmas
      • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-23T16:49:21.570Z
        I wonder if people are catching the double meaning in the prompt. The Grinch literally “deals with Christmas” - albeit in a twisted way! Abide offered that one.
        • MatthewL 🤓6:56 · 2024-12-23T17:19:49.232Z
          Fun one, Davy. Got a little tripped up because TKOS could also be the alternate for LOST, but finally found HOTS. But quickly realized that THE GRINCK is not a thing. Thanks for the puzzle!
          • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-23T17:45:34.654Z
            Ah good catch. Thanks for solving
            • ELSavage 🤓9:11 · 2024-12-24T04:15:08.977Z
              I was working in order, so I knew where it was going after item #4, and with HOTS right there in the upper left, I never looked anywhere else. It has to be hard to avoid a common letter combination like that - I thought of a couple (not necessarily in the puzzle) even in the time it took me to get my eyes back to the puzzle.
              • hoover 3s · 2024-12-27T14:46:24.237Z
                I got tripped up by ESTO, but by then I had THEGRINC so it had to be HOTS.
              • Meg 2s · 2024-12-23T18:16:04.347Z
                I has ESTO instead of HOTS, which gave me The Grince. Very nice, Davy!
                • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-24T05:43:04.486Z
                  Thanks Meg!
                • boharr 3s · 2024-12-23T18:17:54.251Z
                  An apt answer for me as I never can get things in order. I was rescued though. Thanks Dave. Merry Christmas.
                  • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-23T19:25:08.372Z
                    Thanks for solving Bob. Merry Christmas
                  • ajk 🤓17:36 · 2024-12-23T21:00:46.900Z
                    Second thing I tried (first was just deleting the Ls to make new words). Cleverly done. Easy enough to pick the correct LOST match with the rest of the letters in place. Thanks. :)
                    • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-23T21:49:42.034Z
                      Thanks for solving and commenting Alan. Enjoy your semester break!
                    • whimsy 11:13 · 2024-12-23T21:43:46.772Z
                      🎄A nice holiday treat! Thank you, Davy!
                      • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-23T23:04:39.423Z
                        Glad you enjoyed it. Happy holidays!
                      • LB800 3s · 2024-12-23T22:47:12.696Z
                        Loved this! So much fun!
                        • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-24T00:52:38.991Z
                          Thank you. Fun is the whole point. And it’s all free too!
                        • BarbaraK 2s · 2024-12-23T23:51:18.529Z
                          The first themer gave me _ H _ G _ _ N _ _ which was enough to see where it was going. But because I’m obsessive, I still had to find the rest. (And because it’s fun:)
                          Good meta!
                          • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-24T00:51:54.183Z
                            Obsessive? I can relate! I’m glad you enjoyed the puzzle.
                          • lbray53 15s · 2024-12-24T00:38:47.975Z
                            Loved this. When I was teaching 8th grade math the geometry unit came up in December. Parallel was tough to spell so I told my students two L’s then one L and since it was Christmas NOEL. So the unit extra credit question was PARE is the correct Yuletide spelling for what? TMI but 40 years later former students tell me that is how they remember to spell it.
                            • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-24T00:58:53.903Z
                              Great story. Remember PEMDAS? I always asked the students “Who’s Aunt Sally…and why are we excusing her?!”
                            • woozy 14:36 · 2024-12-24T02:45:38.887Z
                              Wow... great job. I was lost for a while (I know you were going for No-L but couldn't go further) but I should have seen the numbers were distinct. I kept seeing hints for the metanism but kept dismissing them until ANGIE said "Stop ignoring me!" and bopped me in the head.
                              Sadly ESTO (42D) conflicts with HOTS... sniff
                              • HeadinHome 6:52 · 2024-12-23T22:45:26.473Z
                                Love the puns… are you a rising Dr. Tom?? Classic metanism! I had to reveal for the Te ___ Anton” x “Tony Gwynn” entries.. I had AMORO/SMP (guess I coulda googled).
                                • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-24T04:16:35.581Z
                                  SDP (San Diego Padres) are the letters on Tony Gwynn’s baseball cap. Despite being a big baseball fan, I had never seen the P. A big thank you Al Sisti for that nugget.
                                  • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-25T02:26:29.411Z
                                    I never meta pun I didn’t like!
                                  • ELSavage 🤓9:11 · 2024-12-24T04:06:06.443Z
                                    Nice little puzzle with just enough difficulty that I had to put it down and got to experince the aha moment when I came back for a second look.
                                    • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-24T05:30:13.544Z
                                      Glad you enjoyed it! There’s something about putting it down and coming back later with a whole new set of eyes. It’s always a fun aha moment.
                                    • Mr Tex 8:30 · 2024-12-24T13:56:41.932Z
                                      I still don't see it. For the love of god, why do must I beg you all to explain your metas.
                                      • Abide 3s · 2024-12-24T16:45:10.468Z
                                        Remove the L. Scramble remaining letters and look for extra letter in new word. (the first one is acTors). Rinse and repeat 8 more times.
                                        • DCBilly 🤓12:16 · 2024-12-25T18:43:04.029Z
                                          And ... use the parenthetical numbers to put the letters in the right order (this part eluded me until well after I had submitted the correct answer via brute force anagramming).
                                        • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-24T18:13:44.072Z
                                          There are always Wednesday nudges for MMM puzzles on the forum. I will post tomorrow - promise!
                                        • michaelm 10:26 · 2024-12-25T14:12:32.051Z
                                          A great way to fill the morning while waiting for the “kids” (27, 25 - home for the holidays!) to wake up! Hopefully the presents haven’t been Grinched. Great job DavyGravy. Loved the NOEL in the grid 😁
                                          • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-25T15:11:43.419Z
                                            I’m glad you enjoyed it. My intention was to provide a fun Christmas puzzle for you guys. Merry Christmas!
                                          • Capn Rick 🤓8:43 · 2024-12-25T14:43:43.824Z
                                            Nice one, Davy!
                                            • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-25T16:05:03.940Z
                                              Thanks Cap’n! Merry Christmas
                                            • Bird Lives 2s · 2024-12-26T03:13:10.391Z
                                              Very neat meta. I'd have gotten it much more quickly if I'd noticed the numbers. Thanks and Merry Christmas.
                                              • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-26T03:56:38.120Z
                                                Thank you for solving Jay. Merry Christmas!
                                              • Carolyn 19:58 · 2024-12-26T05:32:39.713Z
                                                Thanks!
                                                • TEngstrom 8s · 2024-12-26T05:21:07.977Z
                                                  Nice Christmas Day solve. Thanks!
                                                  • DrTom 3s · 2024-12-26T03:39:22.237Z
                                                    I tired for two days to make it the WORDS, not the LETTERS. So I was not taking the missing (or new) letter, I was taking the whole new word and selecting the letters from the line of nine, and getting nothing of course. Luckily Davy himself set me free.
                                                    • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-26T19:47:16.132Z
                                                      Glad to help Dr Tom. Way to persevere!
                                                    Play today's daily mini crossword
                                                    1A
                                                    Red ___ (spicy candy)
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                                                    Across
                                                    1. 1A
                                                      Red ___ (spicy candy)
                                                    2. 5A
                                                      49 Down make them up
                                                    3. 10A
                                                      Mike Tyson had 24 in the first round
                                                    4. 14A
                                                      "I hope and ___ that I safely make it up this steep Scottish hillside!"
                                                    5. 15A
                                                      Billboard #1 song from 1973 by The Rolling Stones
                                                    6. 16A
                                                      Prefix with sphere
                                                    7. 17A
                                                      Ancient waxy holiday decoration? (2, 7, 4)
                                                    8. 20A
                                                      Danza and Bennett
                                                    9. 21A
                                                      Sweater material
                                                    10. 22A
                                                      Latin 101 word
                                                    11. 25A
                                                      This: Fr.
                                                    12. 26A
                                                      Cut short
                                                    13. 27A
                                                      Sheltered place for a boat
                                                    14. 29A
                                                      Women of title
                                                    15. 33A
                                                      Cantina first course
                                                    16. 34A
                                                      ___ - Atlantic Pipeline
                                                    17. 36A
                                                      Pester, puppy style
                                                    18. 38A
                                                      Santa's helpers abandoned intimacy? (5, 9, 8)
                                                    19. 43A
                                                      "Te ___ Anton", last line of "West Side Story" (sob)
                                                    20. 44A
                                                      Word with red or blue
                                                    21. 46A
                                                      Arizona's third-largest city
                                                    22. 50A
                                                      Fuss before a mirror
                                                    23. 52A
                                                      Jedi foe
                                                    24. 53A
                                                      Group with a pet project? (Abbr.)
                                                    25. 55A
                                                      Maple syrup source
                                                    26. 57A
                                                      "I'm an idiot!" in Simpsons-speak
                                                    27. 58A
                                                      Nova ___
                                                    28. 60A
                                                      The last words of “Over the Rainbow"
                                                    29. 62A
                                                      Christmas song's tree topper left out in the snow? (1, 3, 6)
                                                    30. 67A
                                                      0 letters on old phones
                                                    31. 68A
                                                      Busy guy on December 25th
                                                    32. 69A
                                                      Spy stuff
                                                    33. 70A
                                                      1980 Oscar winner
                                                    34. 71A
                                                      Head lock?
                                                    35. 72A
                                                      ___ boy!
                                                    Down
                                                    1. 1D
                                                      "The Sopranos" network
                                                    2. 2D
                                                      Shaq's first NBA team, on scoreboards
                                                    3. 3D
                                                      Just a little
                                                    4. 4D
                                                      Religious faction
                                                    5. 5D
                                                      Shown the door, at work
                                                    6. 6D
                                                      Mayberry sheriff
                                                    7. 7D
                                                      Individually wrapped cheese slices (Abbr.)
                                                    8. 8D
                                                      No-win situation?
                                                    9. 9D
                                                      ___ trap for
                                                    10. 10D
                                                      Slight traces
                                                    11. 11D
                                                      Serbian provence
                                                    12. 12D
                                                      Single squat or crunch
                                                    13. 13D
                                                      Former Toyota coupe
                                                    14. 18D
                                                      Bronx-born congresswoman, familiarly
                                                    15. 19D
                                                      ___ and outs (details)
                                                    16. 22D
                                                      Play part
                                                    17. 23D
                                                      "Encore!"
                                                    18. 24D
                                                      White house office shape
                                                    19. 28D
                                                      Ltr. holder
                                                    20. 30D
                                                      New Zealand native (anagram of Mario)
                                                    21. 31D
                                                      They're added to foot baths
                                                    22. 32D
                                                      H. S. exam for seniors
                                                    23. 35D
                                                      Yellow, Red, or Dead e.g.
                                                    24. 37D
                                                      RN specialty, hopefully
                                                    25. 39D
                                                      Letters on Tony Gwynn's baseball cap (look closely)
                                                    26. 40D
                                                      Hosp. rooms
                                                    27. 41D
                                                      Null and ___
                                                    28. 42D
                                                      This, in Tijuana
                                                    29. 45D
                                                      "Silence!"
                                                    30. 46D
                                                      Mr. or Mrs. Met, e.g.
                                                    31. 47D
                                                      Make a getaway
                                                    32. 48D
                                                      Future ferns
                                                    33. 49D
                                                      Ones who make a scene?
                                                    34. 51D
                                                      Bamboo munchers
                                                    35. 54D
                                                      Catch a bug, say
                                                    36. 56D
                                                      "Harper Valley ___"
                                                    37. 59D
                                                      NHL stat
                                                    38. 60D
                                                      Sno-___
                                                    39. 61D
                                                      "Did you hear those two Peruvian owls are up to no good again?" "Yep - they're always ___ hoots!"
                                                    40. 63D
                                                      "My Mother the ___" short lived 1960's sitcom
                                                    41. 64D
                                                      Understood
                                                    42. 65D
                                                      Summer N.Y. hours
                                                    43. 66D
                                                      She played Marty's mom in "Back to the Future"
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