Pun of a Kind

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! The Cubbies have their final two games this weekend, and then I'll be jumping on the bandwagon for some franchise for the playoffs. A lot to choose from! I wouldn't mind seeing any of the Phillies, Yankees, Orioles, and Royals go all the way. --- 1.  Puzzle #109 answer:  TOUCHÉ Correct entries:  48  (maybe about 20 solo solves or so) Shortest explanation: Definitely a Level 4 this time. Seven symmetrical entries are words or proper nouns with diacritical marks. Their letters spell NICE ONE, a great phrase but not a single 6-letter word! Two clues start with the words "nice" and "one": TWO and SHAY, respectively. Phonetically, they suggest TOUCHÉ , our final answer, a word with a diacritical mark, and a word that often means  "Nice one!" anyway. Whew! --- 2.  This should be a Level 1.5 , at most. Really. Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful! Mikey G The answer to the meta, 2 words in 9 letters, is what I hope thi...

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! The Cubbies are pretty much out of it at this point, so that means it's Broncos time. (Maybe I shouldn't get my hopes up there either.) We're back on a biweekly schedule for the rest of 2024, but we still have some solid challenges ahead (and liquid and gaseous challenges). Onward! --- 1.  Puzzle #108 answer:  THAT'S ALL, FOLKS! Correct entries: 51 Shortest explanation: Eight across entries start with a Looney Tunes character (note the middle column, which also serves as auditory confirmation!). Those clues' initial letters spell out PORKY PIG, whose apropos three-word phrase THAT'S ALL, FOLKS!  was the perfect way to end the Summer of Solves! (The constrained clues for LOON KNEE TUNE all begin with T-A-F, as further confirmation.) --- 2. Since Super Tester and I have been underestimating the difficulty lately, we'll put this first September challenge at a Level 4. I see it more as Level 3/3.5 , but I want to play it safe, haha. Good...