Box Sets
by Dave Shukan
ANSWER: SMACK
The pictures decompose into 19 sets; each with elements aligned to the corners of a rectangle. Each represents three members of a set and a fourth member with a one-letter typo, as follows:
Hover on box to reveal set
The replacement letters spell, in grid order, the phrase REST ARE THREES A THRU E:
| Set | Letter |
|---|---|
| LATS POUND COLON REN (YEN) | R |
| IRON COPPER MERCURY TIE (TIN) | E |
| PENGUIN SIREN BLACKWIDOW ARCHES (ARCHER) | S |
| SCOUT SPY FLAG TOMB (BOMB) | T |
| TAURUS FOCUS RANGER FLEA (FLEX) | A |
| MACE CURRY SALT RINGER (GINGER) | R |
| SUMMER SPRING WINTER FELL (FALL) | E |
| SPECTER HATCH BOXER BATH (BAYH) | T |
| HEART CLUB DIAMOND SHADE (SPADE) | H |
| BUTTER COFFEE KIDNEY RUNG (LUNG) | R |
| SKITTLES KISSES 3MUSKETEERS BABERUTH (BABYRUTH) | E |
| CUP BARREL HOGSHEAD PINE (PINT) | E |
| PORT GIN BRANDY SEER (BEER) | S |
| TOWER WHEELOFFORTUNE MOON FOAL (FOOL) | A |
| BRIDGE CROWN BRACES CAT (CAP) | T |
| MULE PUMP STILETTO HEDGE (WEDGE) | H |
| FRAME SPARE GUTTER ROCKET (POCKET) | R |
| SALSA TAP REEL BULLET (BALLET) | U |
| GEORGIA CHINA CHAD CUBE (CUBA) | E |
The remaining, non-matched pictures are 3-letter words starting with A-E:
- ABS
- BUM
- CIA
- DOC
- ELK
The final letters spell the answer SMACK (a callback to "a big hit" in the flavor text.)