% replaces any number of letters (la% - lake, lamp)_ replaces one letter (ca_ - car, cat)

Crossword clues for <- What this is for this puzzle 5 letters

AnswerClue
METASHidden puzzles within puzzles (like the one in this crossword)
METASPuzzles based on other puzzles
BREENThe Puzzling World of Winston ___ (kids puzzle book by Eric Berlin)
ARIES___ Puzzles (puzzle website whose mascot is a ram)
ININKHow I tried to solve at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, but gave up after the first puzzle, because what kind of crazy idea is that
TOASTDiner "raft," and theme of this puzzle
SCOUTProvide recon, and another hint to this puzzle's long answers
OSCARAward won by lead actors in this puzzle's starred films: the winners' names are hidden "word search"-style in the grid (across, down or diagonally, and forward or backward)
BOATSTypes of them begin six answers in this puzzle
PIECEHole filler in a jigsaw puzzle
CLUESDefinitions for puzzle solvers
BLACKThis puzzle's theme
LINERTheme of this puzzle
SCOFFSpeak derisively, and a hint to how this puzzle's long answers were created
RUBIKBig name in puzzles
LATINClassic language, and with 61-Across, hint to the puzzle theme found at the starts of 20-, 37- and 57-Across
ITSMEWith 67-Across, another title for this puzzle
REBUSSymbol puzzle
CLUEDLike a crossword puzzle
MAZESChallenges in a child's puzzle book
EDGESJigsaw puzzle pieces with straight sides
CLUEDLike this puzzle
ENARMEmulate this puzzle's stars?
LINESWrinkles, and this puzzle's theme
MAZESPuzzles with blind alleys
BLACKWith 17-Down, subject of this puzzle's leaps
MUSICWith 69-Across, this puzzle's theme, which begins the eight words of 17-, 28-, 45- and 62-Across
AEIOUSequence found in this puzzle's five longest answers
NONOSTaboos (and title of this puzzle)
REBUSPictorial puzzle
CARDSBridge player's need, and hint to this puzzle's theme
CARESWorries, and word anagrammed in part of four puzzle answers
STATEWith 47 Down, the entirety of this puzzle's perimeter
TOPPSChewing gum manufacturer responsible for this puzzle's theme entries
THEMEPuzzle unifier
ITISIIdentification phrase, or another title for this puzzle
ALOSSAt ___ (puzzled)
TITLERedundancies, to this puzzle
SPEAKA synonym for it can be found inside this puzzle's four longest entries
TIERSLevels that are split in this puzzle's theme entries
GRACEDebra Messing character, whose name goes "around" four answers in this puzzle
DEVIL___ Cross (Evan Birnholz's puzzle blog)
INPENImpressive way to solve a puzzle
GENREThemeless or tribute puzzles, for example
STEWSPuzzles (over)
SOLVEWork the puzzle
SANTAWord with each first name in this puzzle's theme
MONEYThis puzzle's theme
JOYCEAuthor who coined "quarks," whose six flavors appear in this puzzle's six groups of circled squares
POKERStud, e.g., and a hint to this puzzle's theme