Constructor: Laura Taylor Kinnel

Relative problem: Medium

THEME: “Step on It!” — a bug rebus:

Theme solutions:

• PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM / LEAN-TO (23A: Hypotenuse-finding system / 9D: Simple shelter)
• ABOVE REPROACH / BROACHES (40A: Having an impeccable fame, say / 35D: Brings up, as a topic)
• DESIGNATED DRIVER / SIGNATURE (43A: One consuming comfortable drinks at a celebration, maybe / 31D: Ink on a contract)
• CELTIC OkNOT / STICKS (67A: Symbol of Irish heritage / 60D: Adheres)
• INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU / SILK BLOUSE (89A: “The Pink Panther” character / 63D: Shiny prime)
• IN LIKE FLYNN / BRIEFLY (92A: Having efficiently made it, slangily / 72D: In a couple of phrases)
• LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN / BEECH (110A: Composer who studied below Joseph Haydn / 112D: Stately shade tree)

Word of the Day: NSC (94A: Top-level foreign-policy grp.) —

The United States National Security Council (NSC) is the principal discussion board utilized by the President of the United States for consideration of nationwide safety, navy, and overseas coverage issues. Based within the White House, it’s a part of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, and composed of senior nationwide safety advisors and Cabinet officers.

Since its inception in 1947 by President Harry S. Truman, the perform of the Council has been to advise and help the President on nationwide safety and overseas insurance policies. It additionally serves because the President’s principal arm for coordinating these insurance policies amongst varied authorities businesses. The Council has subsequently performed a key function in most main occasions in U.S. overseas coverage, from the Korean War to the War on Terror.

The NSC has counterparts within the nationwide safety councils of many different nations. (wikipedia)

• • •

Before I get to the meat of the puzzle, a phrase in regards to the title. Well, three phrases: I hate it. Like, viscerally. It’s a vicious, silly, and in the end inapt title. Why the &$#! are you stepping on bees? Or any insect, actually. First of all, bugs reside creatures, so go away them be. Second, stepping on a louse will do nothing. Like, if that’s your technique for eliminating lice, I’ve Big News for you, and it is not good. Third, gnats? You’re attempting to step on gnats? What are you even doing? You look foolish. The title is each casually and cruelly human-centered *and* silly as hell on a literal degree—even when you received your jollies squashing bugs, a superb hunk of those simply aren’t plausibly killable along with your silly foot. Just a horrible editorial resolution, that title. As for the puzzle itself, it is fairly enjoyable, and really formidable. Some of these bugs are actually … lengthy. I imply, placing an ANT in a field, no downside, however placing a complete rattling ROACH or LOUSE in there, that is somewhat extra spectacular. In normal, I loved discovering the bugs, and most of the insect-containing phrases had been lengthy and colourful in their very own proper. The Across themers are one thing near impeccable. After I received over the preliminary rebus-discovery hump, solely two of the bugs actually gave me hassle. I could not discover that rattling FLY as a result of I had BRIEF as my reply to 72D: In a couple of phrases, so I stored questioning “How does this work? is LYN an insect? YNN?” Started pondering possibly the phrase was truly “IN LIKE FLINT” (a ’60s spy comedy whose title is a pun on the precise reply). Then realized that 72D needed an adverb: BRIEFLY. Aha. Worse for me, struggle-wise, was CELTIC KNOT. I discovered the TICK fast … however what was presupposed to observe “CELTIC,” I had No Idea. CELTIC Ok-O-!? I assumed I had an error. Couldn’t get the “N” as a result of ERWIN!?!?! (47D: Physicist Schrödinger)! Really? Wow, information to me. Also, DIATOMIC will not be a phrase I actually know (52D: Like carbon monoxide) and the clue on WAIT ON was super-ambiguous (56A: Serve), in order that whooooooole space was simply jacked for some time.

Oh, and as you’ll be able to see, I could not see WAIT ON as a result of I had an “I” the place the “O” must be. Always like to be tripped up by absolutely the worst piece of fill within the grid, ugh (VASO!? Vas-no!). So the world round TICK and the world round FLY had been pesky, however every thing else fell fairly simply.

I assumed we agreed that PEPE LePew was a sexual harasser / assailant and now not welcome within the grid. No? OK. I’ve been on faculty campuses my entire life and have by no means heard anybody consult with their class as assembly SEMI-WEEKLY (78A: Common frequency for faculty lessons). Is that each different week? Like, as soon as each different week? Pretty soft. Or is it twice per week? Because that’s fairly regular … however once more, nobody however nobody calls it that. We one way or the other make do with “twice per week.” Same variety of letters, fewer syllables. 

People confuse MANET and Monet’s *names*, however nobody goes to confuse their precise work—nobody who’s paying consideration, at any charge. I imply, does this girl like a haystack? Does she?

Hmm, possibly. There is one thing form of … triangular about her. Let’s evaluate.

OK, I take it again, they’re very related.