110. Not Quite Enough

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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.

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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!

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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 this puzzle doesn't do.