Put some English on it

[Anita]

Off the couch pending confirmation. We have a quibble with part of this.

[minimuggle]

I believe I am off the couch... Will wait for confirmation. Fun puzzle.

[Darth]

I dare say I've arisen from the settee!

[KayW]

submitted. Fun one!

[Dow Jones]

Unconfirmed off the couch. Dr. Tom has been very busy lately (being a poet, punster, meta constructor and good husband) !! I wonder what he does in his "idle" time.

[Jeremy Smith]

🛋 pending confirmation from the Punmeister. Jolly good meta!

[Bob cruise director]

Well, look who is back! I kind of wish this was next year because this Meta would be perfect for Boxing Day, but I’ll go a day beyond.

I lived in England for a while and Boxing Day was a big deal. Back then it was mainly for, I was told, giving gifts to the people who deliver the “boxes” to your home, like the milkman, baker, etc.

Turns out it is tied to boxes, but in a more roundabout way. It may have originated when alms boxes, kept near the back of the churches for people to deposit money for the poor, had their contents distributed to the needy. This would have been St Stephen’s day, the 2nd day of Christmas (the day Good King Wenceslas looked out – he was on his way to give comfort to the poor as the Carol goes). Whatever it WAS, it now appears to be the British equivalent of our Black Thursday. Given the frenzy of shoppers looking for great bargains the boxing may be of a very different kind.

“Good King Wenceslas looked out, on a group of shoppers
They were shouting “No, that's mine!”, had to call the coppers….”

Anyway, today’s MMM is titled “Put Some English On It”. It is probably at best a 1.5 but hopefully a fun diversion.

The meta answer is a group of Englishmen

To hounds, to hounds! (I promise that has nothing to do with the solution, it just sounded like a good way to start you off on the puzzle.)

Put Some English on It - PUZ

Put Some English on It – PDF INKSAVER

Put Some English on It - PDF

Put Some English on It - Exel

PM me with your answers and/or requests for some guidance - Oh, and since the Brits are so fond of them, watch out for herrings, red or kippered.

@drtom I thought that Boxing Day was February 25, 1964.

[Cap'n Rick]

I've dived off the divan and am awaiting confirmation.

Delayed update: Confirmation received.

[DrTom]

Well we have had a busy, busy Monday! Despite some minor problems, many Muggles have vacated the couch:

1 MMe
2 Benchen71
3 LauraM
4 Schmeel
5 BarbaraK
6 Cbarbee002
7 Dplass
8 Meg
9 MarkWoychick
10 Tom Wilson
11 higgysue
12 Beth Tyrpin
13 lbray53
14 boharr
15 Bird Lives
16 Dannyvee
17 Whimsy
18 ChrisKochmanski
19 Hammertime
20 michaelm
21 hcbirker
22 Darth
23 Minimuggle
24 Anita
25 Jeremy Smith
26 Dow Jones
27 Gmoney
28 woozy
29 KayW
30 Carolyn
31 mntlblok
32 ImOnToo
33 Cap'n Rick
34 Debbie C
35 Bob cruise director

You are all correct there is a nit to pick about something, and I'll just apologize in advance. It should not keep you from solving, but might delay it just a a bit. I'm delighted to see so many people giving it a try.

[DrTom]

@drtom I thought that Boxing Day was February 25, 1964.

Well there are those who would say it was October 30, 1974!

[oldjudge]

Just getting to puzzle, but another great job by the good doctor. Thanks Tom and happy, healthy New Year my friend.

[eagle1279]

Mad dogs nor Englishmen could keep me on the couch (pending confirmation). Great puzzle!

Edit: confirmed!

[Hidden in 3D]

Off the couch, pending confirmation. Thanks for a fun one, Dr. Tom!

[HeadinHome]

Unconfirmed yet but 100%…. One finds these sorts of puzzles pleasantly diverting. Solved and off the settee. Cheers, Dr. Tom!

[DrTom]

Another group of solvers just rang in:
36 Thurman8er
37 oldjudge
38 eagle1279
39 Bbaack
40 Hidden in 3D
41 HeadinHome

[Bob cruise director]

Well we have had a busy, busy Monday! Despite some minor problems, many Muggles have vacated the couch:


35 Bob cruise director

You are all correct there is a nit to pick about something, and I'll just apologize in advance. It should not keep you from solving, but might delay it just a a bit. I'm delighted to see so many people giving it a try.

As one of the pickers of nits, (which makes my head itch thinking about it), it is a great meta - Thank you @DrTom

[bhamren]

Methinks my chesterfield is vacant!

[DrTom]

Methinks my chesterfield is vacant!

Odds bodkins sir, empty it is! Prithee accept my thanks for jousting with this particular dragon!

[CPJohnson]

By jove, I think I've got it! Confirmed by DrTom.

[JeanneC]

Confirmed off the couch. Must admit that I had to consult with Mr. G before submitting.
Clever indeed!
A happy and healthy new year to all!
(PS-I received one of Matt’s meta books for Christmas! How great is that!)