Did I Just Make the Crossword of the Summer?

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• kurtalert 🤓2:35 · 2024-06-18T15:35:49.300Z

  Very nice, thank you Brian.

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  • Brian Callahan constructor · 2024-06-18T20:13:31.166Z

    

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• Sendhil Revuluri 🤓2:19 · 2024-06-18T16:02:11.508Z

  Fun, thank you! I’d appreciate a link to the TikTok (that doesn’t need me to log in because I’m paranoid about its data use). Also liked 19D and 24D but I think they’re clued backwards.

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  • Brian Callahan constructor · 2024-06-18T20:17:44.941Z

    Thanks for the 19D /24D note. That issue has been corrected. Here's the story on the meme: https://www.vogue.com/article/finance-bros-are-apparently-hot-again

    My wife's TikTok algorithm is the inspo for this puzzle

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• alkashen 🤓4:58 · 2024-06-18T16:02:06.118Z

  I liked this one! 14A is clever.

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  • Brian Callahan constructor · 2024-06-18T20:13:43.349Z

    Thanks for solving!

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• JeffsPuzzles 🤓3:03 · 2024-06-18T16:30:54.057Z

  Fun puzzle. I don't know the meme, but the lead story in the Style section of today's WaPo is "Man in Finance - Tall, Rich & Desired," which I finished skimmin just before tackling your puzzle. One possible correction (I'm not sure): should the clues for ONE and UNO be switched?

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  • Brian Callahan constructor · 2024-06-18T20:18:18.584Z

    Perfect timing! Thanks for solving and your not one ONE / UNO

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• kieranjboyd 🤓2:39 · 2024-06-18T21:51:02.231Z

  Me, to my partner: "Hey, do you know a TikTok about a Wall St bro?" Her, on autopilot: sings the song perfectly Me: "Perfect, thanks"

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  • Brian Callahan constructor · 2024-06-19T01:09:48.792Z

    We're really just vessels here. My wife: "Oh, I have an idea for a puzzle!" Me: "I have no idea what this is, but I'm going to make it."

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• Echser 5:00 · 2024-06-18T22:56:29.387Z

  Super fun puzzle! I am currently working on my own crossword because its my goal to have a crossword appear in the NYT newspaper (something Robyn Weintraub-esque [she's the best crossword filler there is]), and I was wondering if you had any tips on finding fun words/terms for crosswords (i.e. stuff like FLAMINHOTCHEETOS and THEDEVILSLETTUCE from your last puzzle [great answers, by the way]) because you also have great puzzle fill. Thanks for any tips you can give me :)

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  • Brian Callahan constructor · 2024-06-19T01:23:07.058Z

    Aw, thanks! I think we all aspire to be Weintraub-esque (or Weintraubian, if you will). Any tips? Guess it depends on if I'm making a themed or a themeless puzzle. For the latter, a great seed entry is key. Think I started with THE DEVILS LETTUCE in the last one and went from there. I just got lucky finding that FLAMIN HOT CHEETOS was another great 16 that fit the grid. Not sure if you're using construction software, but Ingrid is free and it comes with Spread The Wordlist. I use Crossfire to construct, because I'm so used to it. With either program, a scored wordlist is a useful tool for keeping great entries in and tossing subpar entries out. Happy to chat more if you're on Discord. Feel free to reach out - I'm at briancallahan!

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    • Echser 5:00 · 2024-06-19T15:02:15.892Z

      Thank you! I usually come up with random short words/clues because I think of "?" clues, I just put longer stuff where it would fit after the short words I liked were in. Now I know to focus on longer fill first, haha. I also don't use Discord, but thanks anyway.

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• riotblob 🤓2:34 · 2024-06-19T00:54:00.548Z

  hahaha, this was great fun! fortunately I'd seen people talking about the tiktok thing and was able to dredge up plausible things for those entries :D

  also did not know that about 25A, thank you for the interesting new fact

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  • Brian Callahan constructor · 2024-06-19T01:24:45.257Z

    Thanks for solving! I learn new things from crosswords everyday (and promptly forget them soon after)

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• Makin 12:52 · 2024-06-21T20:14:41.098Z

  Bottom right corner completely destroyed me, didn't know the dog either...

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  • Brian Callahan constructor · 2024-06-21T23:59:58.448Z

    Hope you at least enjoyed the challenge. Thanks for solving!

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• wandernat 🤓6:00 · 2024-06-24T15:33:36.077Z

  Delightful puzzle. Though, I'd been trying to avoid the 2024 meme. :)

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