IMPORTANT NOTE: As of January 2015 MGWCC is a subscribers-only crossword. The cost is $26 per year, and you can subscribe (or get a free trial month first) here:
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS:
Title: “Body Work”
Instructions: This week’s contest answer is a part of the body.
Answer: CHEST
Each of our theme entries features of a familiar phrase whose final word is a part of the body. Then I changed one letter in each of those body parts, and hilarity inevitably ensued:
16-A: [Reply when a tree asks “Does anyone know where my xylem is located?”?] = BEHIND YOUR BARK. Base phrase: BEHIND YOUR BACK
22-A: [Modest financial request in Johannesburg?] = LEND ME A RAND. Base phrase: LEND ME A HAND.
36-A: [Boater’s suggestion when you can’t find your gong’s hammer?] = LET’S PLAY IT BY OAR. Base phrase: LET’S PLAY IT BY EAR.
45-A: [Barely takes gold in the Fastest Flautist competition?] = WINS BY A NOTE. Base phrase: WINS BY A NOSE.
55-A: [Having overstayed one’s welcome at a restaurant?] = LONG IN THE BOOTH. Base phrase: LONG IN THE TOOTH.
Those five replaced letters spell out another body part, contest answer CHEST, found by 628 solvers.
Docison says:
Welcome Back!
Why, thank you!
Laura M writes:
My brain still feels a bit scrambled from last month, but I think this is right.
(Yes, it was.)
CrimsonHoo writes:
Great song at 30D. Heard Tunnel of Love on the radio this morning.
My favorite of all his albums.
StuartS is new here:
Just joined — first puzzle at MGWCC. Long time WSJ puzzler.
Welcome! Fair warning: they get tougher…
Bill C got CHEST and says:
I’m pounding mine! Both the WSJ and MGWCC Friday Puzzles done and it’s not even Saturday. A personal record for me !!
johnstonteacher ponders:
Would you say the answers had heart transplants?
Astrokurtis writes:
I loved the clue to 25 down – very close to my own area of research!
Oh, that? I just named a couple of my favorite NOVAE off the top of my head.
And finally, former MGWCC Guest Constructor Pomona47 corrects me on a clue:
For 29-A, a female ferret is actually called a jill or a sprite (if she is spayed). A male is a hob or a gib (neutered). Did you mean female rabbit? The appointment I had right before solving this puzzle was for a sprite!
I did not! But I think I’ll go ahead and defer to the person who had an appointment to heal a female ferret today on what a female ferret is properly called.
This week’s winner, whose name was chosen at random from the 628 correct entries received, is …oops, forgot to choose a winner! Will do so this week and announce next week.
QQ, ROUND 2:
Friend of MGWCC Nate Cardin has a second volume of Queer Qrosswords out today. 30 new puzzles written by names you know and names you may not yet. Check it out here.
THIS WEEK’S INSTRUCTIONS:
This week’s contest answer is 1 of 50.
Solve well, and be not led astray by words intended to deceive.