Pun of a Kind

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! Happy 2025! SPRING TRAINING STARTS NEXT MONTH. Ahem. Sorry about that. I'M JUST SO EXCITED. --- 1.  Puzzle #119 answer:  FACTORIAL Correct entries: 44 Shortest explanation: More like a Level 3.5 , I'd say - we have nine clues that are appropriately punctuated with exclamation marks. Their fifth letters, per the title's directive, give us FACTORIAL , a fitting answer to the meta since 5! = 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 120, indeed! --- 2. Starting off the year with a Level 1 , I hope! Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta is a 2-word phrase in the form 3, 3.  

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! We have a special earlier post today, as the MGWCC comes out tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll crack the Level 5 pretty early, right? (Famous last words.) Deadline for puzzle #119 is still tomorrow, so reveal delayed until then. --- 1.  Puzzle #119 answer:  NICE LIST Correct entries:  58 Shortest explanation: There are 8 "U"s, and they are on the letters in the phrase NICE LIST. Short explanation, indeed! --- 2.  I would think this is a solid Level 3 , but I don't see it gravitating above then. As always, your mileage may vary! Thanks to Kay for test-solving! Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta is a 9-letter term.  

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! Cody Bellinger goes to the Yankees since we last met, and I think it was more of a cost-effective trade for us. Once a Cub, always a Cub! He had a solid two years for us, and I wish him well! A far  easier puzzle today, as you'll soon see. --- 1.  Puzzle #118a answer:  END TABLES Correct entries: 31 ...our lowest total since October '22! Eep! We need an easier conundrum, for sure! Shortest explanation: Tough to have a "short explanation" for this one, but I will redirect you to the image above. It was a three-step process (maybe four): 1. note the ridiculous start to all the clues, most of which start with the corresponding element's symbol from the table, 2. there are eight that don't: take these in numeric order, 3. find the directive "FIND NINE C-SYMBOLS," which then leads to you 4. go to the periodic table and find the first nine C-symbols that also have grid number representation. Then, 5. go to the grid and extract thos...

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! Kyle Tucker is now a Cub! Honestly, he was under the radar for me for the last few years - but the North Side is super-excited, so I can't wait to see what he does in '25! The  Winter Solvestice  continues today, with a special bonus puzzle below! --- 1.  Puzzle #117 answer: FELIZ NAVIDAD Correct entries:  60  - solid Level 2! Shortest explanation: Five across clues cross-reference the CHRISTMAS DAY spanner (COLD, SCHOOL, BOOK, WINTER, SHOE); per the SPANISH CLASS themer, translate these into Spanish! They become FELIZ, INVIERNO, LIBRO, ESCUELA, and ZAPATO; these initial letters spell FELIZ, a nod toward the apropos title FELIZ NAVIDAD , which answers the meta! --- 2. This one is a Level 4 , at least. This might not always be the case but, because it's Level 4, I have a bonus Level 2  afterward, just if you want a bit of a respite! The metas are independent of each other; this bonus mini-meta will be outside typical number...

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! Four toughest things for a baseball fan: November, December, January, and February! But I do love the wonders of the holiday season and have puzzles to keep me warm! The Winter Solvestice  kicks off/continues to day: a meta each weekend until early-mid March! --- 1.  Puzzle #116 answer:  ANNE OF GREEN GABLES Correct entries: 77  - fantastic!!! Shortest explanation: We have three clues that are repeated, one in the acrosses and one in the downs. These form triplets, and the missing entity for each triplet (not in the grid) are, respectively, ANNE, GREEN, and GABLE - all of which nod toward one of my favorite books I read last year: ANNE OF GREEN GABLES , the answer to the meta! (I almost wanted to title the puzzle "Kindred Spirits" but felt the click wasn't as strong.) Expect more bookish metas in the future! --- 2.  We have another Level 2  or so for test-solving, and it's the one that will also go in my Christmas cards th...