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"After Six" (Meta)

· By Peter Abide and Caroline Abide · Published by Abide · Published 2023-08-28T05:04:45.693Z

Meta Prompt
The meta answer is a six-letter word.
Wednesday nudges and puzzle discussion at https://www.xword-muggles.com/viewtopic.php?t=2399
Here's a nudge if you need a little help: Look at the six long across entries for two similar letters.Think Italian style. Then apply the title...
Checking for previous play data...

Leaderboard (updated hourly)

  • Dow Jones solved 2023-08-28T05:38:40.573Z
  • woozy solved 2023-08-28T05:44:09.491Z
  • Schmeel solved 2023-08-28T07:06:38.080Z
  • HeadinHome solved 2023-08-28T09:13:44.133Z
  • markhr solved 2023-08-28T09:30:35.494Z
  • Berto solved 2023-08-28T11:12:26.501Z
  • Cindy Weatherman solved 2023-08-28T11:17:36.672Z
  • Madhatter5 solved 2023-08-28T11:34:12.322Z
  • BarbaraK solved 2023-08-28T11:45:21.513Z
  • boharr solved 2023-08-28T12:27:40.272Z
  • Tom Wilson solved 2023-08-28T12:29:05.205Z
  • Capn Rick solved 2023-08-28T12:35:07.063Z
  • Hector solved 2023-08-28T13:02:04.495Z
  • Meg solved 2023-08-28T13:05:21.817Z
  • JM solved 2023-08-28T13:21:43.129Z
  • michaelm solved 2023-08-28T13:35:50.047Z
  • THC solved 2023-08-28T13:59:45.029Z
  • TMart solved 2023-08-28T14:09:56.719Z
  • KayW solved 2023-08-28T14:12:20.539Z
  • bhamren solved 2023-08-28T14:26:23.317Z
  • merlinnimue solved 2023-08-28T14:46:59.664Z
  • K7 solved 2023-08-28T14:48:38.250Z
  • MatthewL solved 2023-08-28T14:49:53.347Z
  • kamashdad solved 2023-08-28T15:21:40.649Z
  • Hidden in 3D solved 2023-08-28T15:24:01.370Z
  • I K Snamhcok solved 2023-08-28T15:29:25.175Z
  • DrButtBeard solved 2023-08-28T15:30:14.000Z
  • ajk solved 2023-08-28T15:53:16.088Z
  • hoover solved 2023-08-28T16:00:04.119Z
  • CPJohnson solved 2023-08-28T16:20:05.097Z
  • david solved 2023-08-28T16:23:05.929Z
  • heidi solved 2023-08-28T16:33:15.132Z
  • DrTom solved 2023-08-28T16:39:24.969Z
  • Eric Porter solved 2023-08-28T16:44:22.996Z
  • Mr Tex solved 2023-08-28T16:52:01.703Z
  • Sharkicicles solved 2023-08-28T17:51:26.573Z
  • Snood solved 2023-08-28T18:40:33.941Z
  • ReB solved 2023-08-28T19:04:06.602Z
  • Laura M solved 2023-08-28T19:06:32.075Z
  • Mwoychick solved 2023-08-28T19:06:53.947Z
  • imontoo solved 2023-08-28T19:28:05.935Z
  • Gutman solved 2023-08-28T19:59:31.769Z
  • Anita and Steve solved 2023-08-28T20:05:59.480Z
  • whimsy solved 2023-08-28T20:12:47.879Z
  • lbray53 solved 2023-08-28T20:24:59.089Z
  • DebbieC solved 2023-08-28T21:25:12.496Z
  • Tyrpmom solved 2023-08-28T21:42:49.959Z
  • Darth solved 2023-08-28T21:44:48.618Z
  • Bird Lives solved 2023-08-28T21:45:22.344Z
  • SamKat9 solved 2023-08-28T21:57:38.582Z
  • Steve M solved 2023-08-28T22:27:42.314Z
  • Cindy Heisler solved 2023-08-28T22:37:01.165Z
  • Bbaack solved 2023-08-28T22:51:20.587Z
  • DIS solved 2023-08-28T22:52:51.611Z
  • Qmark solved 2023-08-28T23:00:20.015Z
  • andeux solved 2023-08-28T23:12:00.735Z
  • Wendy Walker solved 2023-08-28T23:20:29.599Z
  • DCBilly solved 2023-08-28T23:50:27.157Z
  • BrennerTJ solved 2023-08-29T02:10:10.370Z
  • Dave C solved 2023-08-29T02:12:49.753Z
  • jbird solved 2023-08-29T02:23:22.996Z
  • edestlin solved 2023-08-29T04:31:37.154Z
  • SeamusOL solved 2023-08-29T05:17:35.939Z
  • Ergcat solved 2023-08-29T12:10:35.830Z
  • JHSeeman solved 2023-08-29T17:03:35.813Z
  • Johnny Luau solved 2023-08-29T18:19:20.916Z
  • Mikey G solved 2023-08-29T20:12:20.522Z
  • kurtalert solved 2023-08-29T20:58:42.049Z
  • Jaclyn solved 2023-08-29T23:13:34.688Z
  • Tim solved 2023-08-30T00:48:00.133Z
  • Rufus T Firefly solved 2023-08-30T01:36:57.459Z
  • AaronT solved 2023-08-30T05:02:52.897Z
  • rayyandroid solved 2023-08-30T16:37:43.739Z
  • Alex Sisti solved 2023-08-30T20:05:17.828Z
  • Alvibu67 solved 2023-08-30T21:41:49.792Z
  • Darrell solved 2023-08-31T00:55:50.388Z
  • Pair O Ducks solved 2023-08-31T14:51:20.530Z
  • Philip Chow solved 2023-09-01T09:31:48.180Z
  • damefox solved 2023-09-01T23:47:18.465Z
  • emmie solved 2023-09-02T01:31:26.258Z
  • BethA solved 2023-09-02T10:56:02.839Z
  • Katiedid solved 2023-09-02T16:03:34.620Z
  • minimuggle solved 2023-09-02T16:09:57.333Z
  • Kulea solved 2024-03-28T04:13:11.807Z

Comments

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  • Dow Jones 3s · 2023-08-28T05:46:48.435Z
    The meta wasn't that difficult, but the grid.....I learned a lot !! Tricky, but fair, clues, Caroline. Thanks for your collaboration.
    • woozy 24:29 · 2023-08-28T05:45:39.369Z
      Fun.
      But what's with the oblong size? Will it hel me with Pun of A Kind's "give me five"?
      • HeadinHome 🤓7:01 · 2023-08-28T09:16:04.221Z
        What a pleasure .. Caroline at the keyboard every time please! Anyone who clues ALW with theater rather than baseball has my thanks.
        • Capn Rick 🤓15:40 · 2023-08-28T12:36:46.379Z
          Great father/daughter team effort! Thanks Caroline and Peter for the challenging grid and clever meta.
          • boharr 3s · 2023-08-28T12:29:07.050Z
            Thank you for a fun puzzle with fresh and clever cluing.
            • Tom Wilson 🤓8:15 · 2023-08-28T12:29:46.724Z
              Nice team effort; thank you!
              • Hector 3s · 2023-08-28T13:02:26.358Z
                Well clued and conceived, thanks!
                • michaelm 3:19 · 2023-08-28T13:42:32.518Z
                  Thanks Abides! Loved Six in a million? clue and what dad says about HOJO is definitely true (remember it was really good, too).
                  • THC 🤓4:43 · 2023-08-28T14:00:46.896Z
                    Thank you, Peter and Caroline! A really fun puzzle to start my week!
                    • KayW 🤓9:37 · 2023-08-28T14:12:51.179Z
                      A wonderful debut! Really enjoyed the cluing.
                      • TMart 🤓11:57 · 2023-08-28T14:11:02.641Z
                        Nicely done, Abides!
                        • merlinnimue 10:16 · 2023-08-28T14:53:15.088Z
                          loVIng it! You guys knocked it out of the PARK! Easy enough meta to SUIT my low problem solving skills... hope you don't mind me riding on your COATTAILS... I'll see myself out
                          • MatthewL 🤓7:41 · 2023-08-28T14:54:16.090Z
                            Very nice team effort! Hard clues, but fair and gettable. Also, I kinda like the Cats sub-theme running throughout the puzzle (ALW, Macavity, etc.). And, since Mr. Mistoffelees was a tuxedo cat, it all kind of ties together! Thanks for the puzzle.
                            • Hidden in 3D 8s · 2023-08-28T15:27:19.961Z
                              Loved it, Peter and Caroline! Thanks so much!
                              • I K Snamhcok 1s · 2023-08-28T15:30:11.226Z
                                The clues, for me, were easily the highlight. Thanks, Caroline!
                                • hoover 2s · 2023-08-28T16:01:03.199Z
                                  Enjoyed the cluing!
                                  • ajk 16:16 · 2023-08-28T16:02:43.691Z
                                    Had to reveal the 23D/31A cross (despite being a Mamet fan), and got a bit stuck in that area in general (not knowing 15A didn't help). But overall very impressive cluing! Especially liked 41A, 43A (though it took me forever to fill it in), 10D, 27D, 48D, 54D. And lol'd at 52D. Thanks!
                                    • DrTom 3s · 2023-08-28T16:50:21.955Z
                                      NICE! A meta I can actually solve and one where I learn a lot. The fill was tough for me because of all the "new fangled" stuff (young whippersnappers) but I liked a lot of the clues, I think "Six in a million" may have been one of my favorites, I think you have a META star in the making. I was chastened by the ELOI because indeed (1) I always know what the answer will be (2) I have not read the book (I saw the movie though, does that count?). As for HOJO, it wasn't only ice cream, it was the best clam strips ever! No trip on the PA Turnpike was complete without a stop at Howard Johnson's BEFORE it became a hotel chain!
                                      Nice family project.
                                      • ajk 16:16 · 2023-08-28T17:03:32.799Z
                                        I also seem to recall enjoying the salt water taffy at HoJos :)
                                      • Snood 🤓2:45 · 2023-08-28T18:43:58.523Z
                                        Thank you for sharing your combined skillz!
                                        • ReB 4s · 2023-08-28T19:08:15.021Z
                                          Great start for a future meta-pro. It provided some respite from other pending meta challenges. 15A brought back some law-of-gravity-defying memories.
                                          • Laura M 🤓16:13 · 2023-08-28T19:07:16.795Z
                                            Great cluing!
                                            • Mwoychick 🤓16:55 · 2023-08-28T19:07:48.049Z
                                              Great puzzle, meta, and clues! Nicely done. I don't know if I'll ever get any of my kids to collaborate on a puzzle, but I'll see if I can get any takers when I see them this weekend
                                              • imontoo 2s · 2023-08-28T19:29:43.843Z
                                                Thanks for the puzzle! 1D made me laugh. That’s how I would describe it! 😄
                                                • Snood 🤓2:45 · 2023-08-28T20:01:23.772Z
                                                  Oops! I forgot to praise the meta photograph of the two constructors and the photographer in the mirror! Awesome meta-ness!
                                                  • whimsy 19:35 · 2023-08-28T20:31:14.370Z
                                                    Thanks so much, Peter & Caroline (you have a nice touch with your clues!) for both the puzzle and for the aqua and orange trip down memory lane. My experience at that fine dining establishment dates to before it was even called HoJo's.
                                                    • Tyrpmom 2s · 2023-08-28T21:46:03.157Z
                                                      Well someone has a very smart and clever daughter. Congratulations.
                                                      • Bird Lives 3s · 2023-08-28T21:51:23.716Z
                                                        Two Abides for the price of one -- what a deal. Great cluing even if it made me even more aware of my superannuated status.
                                                        • SamKat9 🤓10:01 · 2023-08-28T21:58:14.797Z
                                                          Great, thank you!
                                                          • Qmark 2s · 2023-08-28T23:01:13.090Z
                                                            Thanks Abides! Fun puzzle.
                                                            • Dave C 4s · 2023-08-29T02:14:57.027Z
                                                              Clues were great. I learned that Fez can also be spelled Fes...
                                                              • Ergcat 1:56 · 2023-08-29T12:11:04.578Z
                                                                Easy, breezy start to the week! Thank you!
                                                                • kurtalert 🤓7:31 · 2023-08-29T20:59:05.165Z
                                                                  Great puzzle, thanks!
                                                                  • Alex Sisti 4s · 2023-08-30T20:05:43.888Z
                                                                    Really enjoyed this one; nice one, Team Abide!
                                                                    • damefox 🤓6:48 · 2023-09-01T23:50:47.248Z
                                                                      Nice one! It's fun to consider this one a counterpart to this puzzle @PairODucks constructed for Pandora's Blocks a while back, since you would not guess from the titles that they would necessarily have anything in common! https://crosshare.org/crosswords/u06AAkDzaaxzR26ZJMMZ/pointing-towards-success
                                                                      • Abide publisher · 2023-09-02T23:40:34.869Z
                                                                        Ah, very cool! Thanks for “pointing” that out!
                                                                      • emmie 🤓7:56 · 2023-09-02T01:36:22.581Z
                                                                        Loved the puzzle! Thanks! And of course it reminded me of this exchange from 30 Rock:
                                                                        Liz: Why are you wearing a tux?
                                                                        Jack: It's after six! What am I, a farmer?
                                                                        • BethA 3s · 2023-09-02T10:57:40.268Z
                                                                          Fun puzzle! Thank you!
                                                                          1A
                                                                          Akimbo joints
                                                                          1
                                                                          2
                                                                          3
                                                                          4
                                                                          5
                                                                          6
                                                                          7
                                                                          8
                                                                          9
                                                                          10
                                                                          11
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                                                                          14
                                                                          15
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                                                                          17
                                                                          18
                                                                          19
                                                                          20
                                                                          21
                                                                          22
                                                                          23
                                                                          24
                                                                          25
                                                                          26
                                                                          27
                                                                          28
                                                                          29
                                                                          30
                                                                          31
                                                                          32
                                                                          33
                                                                          34
                                                                          35
                                                                          36
                                                                          37
                                                                          38
                                                                          39
                                                                          40
                                                                          41
                                                                          42
                                                                          43
                                                                          44
                                                                          45
                                                                          46
                                                                          47
                                                                          48
                                                                          49
                                                                          50
                                                                          51
                                                                          52
                                                                          53
                                                                          54
                                                                          55
                                                                          56
                                                                          57
                                                                          58
                                                                          59
                                                                          60
                                                                          61
                                                                          62
                                                                          Across
                                                                          1. 1A
                                                                            Akimbo joints
                                                                          2. 5A
                                                                            Tannery tank
                                                                          3. 8A
                                                                            Coffee menu heading
                                                                          4. 12A
                                                                            Tony-winning musical "Dear ___ Hansen"
                                                                          5. 13A
                                                                            Medal above plata
                                                                          6. 14A
                                                                            Like seahorses that give birth
                                                                          7. 15A
                                                                            Feline "Napoleon of Crime"
                                                                          8. 17A
                                                                            Frosh teacher
                                                                          9. 18A
                                                                            What gets rubber-stamped?
                                                                          10. 19A
                                                                            Gum that gives "a good clean feeling no matter what"
                                                                          11. 20A
                                                                            Egg holder, of sorts
                                                                          12. 21A
                                                                            Tool for an ax wielder?
                                                                          13. 23A
                                                                            Milk choice
                                                                          14. 24A
                                                                            Stratovolcano that geologists say is overdue (last eruption March 1994)
                                                                          15. 28A
                                                                            "Phantom" composer's initials
                                                                          16. 29A
                                                                            "No ___ an island"
                                                                          17. 30A
                                                                            Chatter monitor, in brief
                                                                          18. 31A
                                                                            Classic British jet fighter with a twin-boom design
                                                                          19. 33A
                                                                            Tossed out of the game, for short
                                                                          20. 34A
                                                                            They surround saints
                                                                          21. 35A
                                                                            Latin eyes
                                                                          22. 36A
                                                                            Where Studio City is
                                                                          23. 37A
                                                                            "Hook" and "Up" are two
                                                                          24. 40A
                                                                            Roxy Music co-founder
                                                                          25. 41A
                                                                            Six in a million?
                                                                          26. 42A
                                                                            They're ahead of U
                                                                          27. 43A
                                                                            Poetry in motion?
                                                                          28. 45A
                                                                            Second-largest city in Morocco (hat-related)
                                                                          29. 46A
                                                                            All up in your business
                                                                          30. 47A
                                                                            Miss. neighbor
                                                                          31. 48A
                                                                            Rocker Eddie Van ___
                                                                          32. 51A
                                                                            "Well done, son!"
                                                                          33. 55A
                                                                            Ear-related
                                                                          34. 56A
                                                                            Preceding
                                                                          35. 57A
                                                                            Lowest face card
                                                                          36. 58A
                                                                            Aggravate
                                                                          37. 59A
                                                                            Ren fair instrument
                                                                          38. 60A
                                                                            Lofty verses
                                                                          39. 61A
                                                                            Windowsill basker
                                                                          40. 62A
                                                                            Take top billing
                                                                          Down
                                                                          1. 1D
                                                                            "It's like a special thing on a truck," per my mom
                                                                          2. 2D
                                                                            Karamazov brother
                                                                          3. 3D
                                                                            Really leaves an impression
                                                                          4. 4D
                                                                            Answer brusquely
                                                                          5. 5D
                                                                            Empty
                                                                          6. 6D
                                                                            Culture club?
                                                                          7. 7D
                                                                            American Kennel Club designation
                                                                          8. 8D
                                                                            Theater on the fly
                                                                          9. 9D
                                                                            Atkins diet taboo
                                                                          10. 10D
                                                                            People from that "Time Machine" story no one has actually read
                                                                          11. 11D
                                                                            Nimble
                                                                          12. 16D
                                                                            Dirt Devil, briefly
                                                                          13. 19D
                                                                            Major piece
                                                                          14. 22D
                                                                            "It's ____" (Pet Shop Boys hit)
                                                                          15. 23D
                                                                            1992 David Mamet play
                                                                          16. 24D
                                                                            Preventative shot, slangily
                                                                          17. 25D
                                                                            Ask after
                                                                          18. 26D
                                                                            Futile
                                                                          19. 27D
                                                                            To smite is his/her delight
                                                                          20. 28D
                                                                            More pallid
                                                                          21. 29D
                                                                            Prefix with information
                                                                          22. 32D
                                                                            U.S. radio initials abroad
                                                                          23. 33D
                                                                            It's Roman numeral time! (605)
                                                                          24. 35D
                                                                            Agents like Bond
                                                                          25. 37D
                                                                            Brand of women's socks
                                                                          26. 38D
                                                                            Ambiguous situation, to a barrister
                                                                          27. 39D
                                                                            It may be heard in a herd
                                                                          28. 41D
                                                                            Utah's most visited national park
                                                                          29. 44D
                                                                            Undershirt styles
                                                                          30. 45D
                                                                            Swings wildly
                                                                          31. 47D
                                                                            Off-roader, e.g.
                                                                          32. 48D
                                                                            Dad says you could get ice cream at this hotel, back in the day
                                                                          33. 49D
                                                                            Not much at all
                                                                          34. 50D
                                                                            Nix treatment target
                                                                          35. 52D
                                                                            Message on Discord, maybe
                                                                          36. 53D
                                                                            "I'm ___ here!"
                                                                          37. 54D
                                                                            Sources tell me this is a 1914 Belgian battle river
                                                                          38. 56D
                                                                            Plastic pipe for plumbers
                                                                          Loading...