39. You Know the Score

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Feedback on the last puzzle was mixed, some on the puzzle itself - but some on that drink! Some of you love it - some of you love to hate it (and refuse to acknowledge it as proper sustenance).

1. Puzzle #38 recap

Puzzle #38 answer: PUMPKIN SPICE(D) LATTE, or, SCOURGE AGAINST HUMANITY

Correct entries: 40

Simple mechanism that was, in retrospect, a bit too hard to see.

Take the five entries that rhyme with themselves:

HUMDRUM

THINSKIN

NICEPRICE

HOTSPOT

THEYSAY

Take one syllable from each and Mad Gab it up:

DRUM SKIN PRICE SPOT SAY

DRUMSKIN PRICE SPOTSAY

And if you say it enough times after having enough drinks:

PUMPKIN SPICE(D) LATTE!

The Easter eggs were also a bit too hidden, but solver KayW found them!

11-A: Pointed, scathing lambasting

33-A: Places so lofty

52-A: Picasso's storied land

1-D: "pretty silly lol"

17-D: "Peace"-ful Storting location

24-D: Planned sched. listings

Six of the clues, some awkwardly constructed, had the acronym PSL. Indeed, searching "PSL" with absolutely no context does bring up at least one early hit for the famed seasonal drink.

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2. This is a Level 1 meta. You deserve it.

Until next time, happy puzzling!

Mikey G

The answer to the meta is a sports term.