The answer to the meta is a three word phrase that describes what it might take to find the answer to the meta
Here's another meta idea that came from attempting to solve someone else's meta. But if they didn't use this mechanism, then it's fair game! The answer to the meta is a three word phrase that describes what it might take to find the answer to the meta. Answer & explanation: https://www.xword-muggles.com/viewtopic.php?p=121940#p121940
Check out "The MOAT Mini Pack of Marching Bands" here: https://www.ephesusscroll.com/about/interest4.html. US$5 gets you 7 Marching Bands which, hard enough on their own, now contain metas too. And once again there's a mega-meta!
I figured I was giving two generations of solvers something to work with; so cool that you (like me) somehow span both!
Sharkicicles 1s · 2023-02-22T22:21:52.434Z
Conversely I knew neither of those clues and got it from the downs… still a fantastic puzzle. Thanks again!
Laura M 🤓9:32 · 2023-02-23T02:48:22.221Z
I knew one because of my husband and one because of my kid; both are excellent! (Meaning the 8A references, although the husband and kid are also excellent.)
markhr 🤓27:27 · 2023-02-21T14:37:28.006Z
Clever idea! 22A finally got me going.
Hector 11s · 2023-02-21T16:16:26.361Z
Fun solve, and impressive construction. Thanks, Ben!
I K Snamhcok 1s · 2023-02-21T18:25:36.003Z
Fun!
Meg 2s · 2023-02-21T20:03:06.852Z
I literally added a column on my old-fashioned piece of paper. Not sure how you would see it if solving online. I couldn’t get past DISCOER to DISCOVER for a long time. DISCO ERA. Of course!
Darth 🤓7:37 · 2023-02-21T22:17:45.501Z
Got it!....finally, after being made aware of 43D :P Thanks, Ben!
Carolyn 3s · 2023-02-22T00:23:54.392Z
Definitely used some trial and error to make it work! Thanks
DIS 🤓5:30 · 2023-02-22T14:16:17.698Z
Wow - impressive construction.
KayW 🤓7:37 · 2023-02-22T19:20:45.771Z
Indeed that WAS required!! As well as a few nudges. Very clever construction, Ben - thanks for the puzzle!
Goodness me, but I can't remember exactly. It was a meta that was 15x14, and one of the grid entries was ROW clued as "One of 14 in this puzzle" which I thought was a meta hint but wasn't.
MatthewL 🤓7:21 · 2023-02-22T21:55:36.529Z
Finally got it. Was stuck on DISCOVER for so, so long. Very impressive construction, Ben.
kymike 3s · 2023-02-22T22:05:53.339Z
Knew what to do, but was trying to force on the right side of the grid. Needed the clues.
Nicely executed concept.
Ergcat 13:26 · 2023-02-22T23:19:13.775Z
Needed the last 2 nudges….I was on the right track just needed to keep plugging! Thank you, Ben! Clever idea!
Dow Jones 3s · 2023-02-23T03:47:23.242Z
Needed the placement of the "and". Excellent meta, Ben
Cindy Heisler 1s · 2023-02-23T13:06:10.999Z
I was stuck in the beginning because I was trying to get Discover in where Disco Era went. Once I realized that wasn't going to work, it went pretty smoothly. Great idea for a meta!
Knew the first two nudges before I saw them, knew I had to add a column, but didn't think to do it in the middle. I spent way too much time trying to go with DISCO V ER, DISCOERA never occurred to me (though I lived it!). The AND nudge was helpful, but of course looking back there were only so many things it could have been given the words). For some reason I was also stuck on GAMBLERS and that did not help. As soon as I realized it could be R the rest fell into place. I liked it more at the end than at the beginning, but of course now I see how clever it was and how the answer was a perfect choice.
I was worried that this puzzle would be a bridge too far, given the almost random way of getting to the answer. My hope was that HEATHY and OFFRED would scream out at solvers to form HEALTHY and OFFERED. After that, well, that's where the TRIAL AND ERROR would come into it!
JHSeeman 4s · 2023-02-24T14:50:42.593Z
Really fun one and great construction. Will freely admit I waited for the hint, knew from the get go that needed to add a column, then got lazy and waited for location of column in the hint :-)
whimsy 11:01 · 2023-02-24T17:30:15.114Z
Healthy gave me a healthy start -- Great puzzle that lives up to its answer! Thank you, Ben!