Resolutions

by Ian Tullis
Answer: REVENGE

On the fake "Solution" page are paraphrases of the solutions of past Hunt puzzles from 2000-2008. Identify the puzzles and compile their answers. The year is given for each solution in order to narrow the search space.

Each set of seven answers can be solved using the framework of a previous Hunt meta in which none of the answers originally appeared. (In each case, the meta's original ordering mechanism is ignored and the words are used in the order they're given in this puzzle.) The extra number after each group gives the year for that meta. Each of these metas solves to another former Hunt answer.

Meta 1: All words contain only I and O as vowels; these become binary 1s and 0s [1] (05)

• Auditorium [2]: YIDDISH = C
• Russian Brunch [3]: SNIFF = A
• Mumbo-Jumbo [4]: SIGNOR = B
• Sage of the Arctic [5]: IO = B
• Parts is Parts [6]: SIXTH = A
• 21 Equations to Solve [7]: RIN TIN TIN = G
• Museum [8]: HISTORIC = E

Meta 2: Silent letters [9] (03)

• Minor Inconsistencies [10]: B(O)URBON = O
• Atlas Shrugged [11]: COLUM(N) = N
• Gag Me [12]: APROPO(S) = S
• Art Gallery [13]: SEURA(T) = T
• Ritual Yell Ceremony [14]: HO(A)RSE = A
• Mumbo-Jumbo [15]: SI(G)NOR = G
• Free Willy Wonka [16]: BOY(E)S = E

Meta 3: Words begin with sounds of letters [17] (06)

• Dirty Laundry [18]: (V)-NECK = V
• Print Room (Blank Check) [19]: (EM)ILY BRONTE = M
• The Goodwin Manuscript [20]: (EL)LEN = L
• Sage of the Arctic [21]: (I)O = I
• Scientology [22]: (EN)GRAM = N
• Mothers Know Best [23]: (U)SABLE = U
• English Class [24]: (ECZ)EMA = X

Meta 4: Double letters [25] (02)

• Image Search [26]: HANDS-FR(EE) = E
• UN-Speakable [27]: GET O(FF) OF ME = F
• Russian Brunch [28]: SNI(FF) = F
• That's Right [29]: FORTY-FIVE DEGR(EE)S = E
• Creature Discomforts [30]: TRAGEDIE(NN)E = N
• Auditorium [31]: YI(DD)ISH = D
• A Research Puzzle [32]: HAWA(II) = I

Meta 5: Canfield card counting [33] (04)

• Second Game [34]: D(R)IVE = +2 (length 5) = 2 = R
• Far From Home [35]: D(E)ADLIER = +0 (length 8) = 2 = E
• Louder than Words [36]: SA(V)INGS = +1 (length 7) = 3 = V
• A Research Puzzle [37]: HAWA(I)I = +2 (length 6) = 5 = I
• 182.2 Smoots [38]: CLE(V)ELAND = -1 (length 9) = 4 = V
• Nationwide Hunt [39]: D(A)RTH VADER = -2 (length 10) = 2 = A
• Did Someone Ask For Trivia? [40]: C(L)IMATES = +0 (length 8) = 2 = L

Meta 6: Embedded Roman numerals between 1 and 26 [41] (02)

• Second Game [42]: DR(IV)E = D
• 182.2 Smoots [43]: CLE(V)ELAND = E
• Head of Sales [44]: S(IX)PENCE FOR YOU = I
• The Art of Succeeding [45]: EDWARD (III) = C
• Parts is Parts [46]: S(IX)TH = I
• That's Right [47]: FORTY-F(IV)E DEGREES = D
• Dirty Laundry [48]: (V)-NECK = E

Meta 7: Embedded keyboard symbols point to an index [49] (02)

• Image Search [50]: H(AND)S-FREE = 7 = R
• Art Gallery [51]: SEUR(AT) = 2 = E
• Nature Walk [52]: (AND)REWCARNEGIE = 7 = C
• Crash Course [53]: (AT)TLEBORO, MA = 2 = T
• This Puzzle Has Been Formatted To Fit Your Screen [54]: WILLIAM(AT)HERTON = 2 = I
• Cambridge Tea Party [55]: HOTEL (AT) MIT = 2 = O
• Ballroom [56]: SFORZ(AND)O = 7 = N

The seven meta answers are CABBAGE [57], ON STAGE [58], VMLINUX [59], EFFENDI [60], REVIVAL [61], DEICIDE [62], and RECTION [63]. One parenthetical clue remains: 03. In 2003, there were seven metas and a metameta that involved reading upwards along the diagonal [64]. Doing so with this group gives:

• CABBAGE
• ONSTAGE
• VMLINUX
• EFFENDI
• REVIVAL
• DEICIDE
• RECTION

for a delicious REVENGE.