Relative difficulty: Easy
THEME: Roll With It — You can add "roll" to the last word of each theme answer and make a phrase. (EYE roll, FORWARD roll, etc)
- PRIVATE EYE (17A: Sleuth for hire)
- PAY IT FORWARD (23A: Perform an act of kindness, in a way)
- HOTEL CALIFORNIA (36A: 1977 #1 Eagles hit)
- HIDDEN CAMERA (46A: It might catch a thief or a speeder)
- ROLL WITH IT (57A: Be willing to accept whatever...or a hint to the ends of 17-, 23-, 36- and 46-Across)
Word of the Day: UPCS (10A: Lines at the cash register, for short?) —
The Universal Product Code (UPC; redundantly: UPC code) is a barcode symbology that is widely used in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries for tracking trade items in stores.
UPC (technically refers to UPC-A) consists of 12 numeric digits that are uniquely assigned to each trade item. Along with the related EAN barcode, the UPC is the barcode mainly used for scanning of trade items at the point of sale, per GS1 specifications.[1] UPC data structures are a component of GTINs and follow the global GS1 specification, which is based on international standards. But some retailers (clothing, furniture) do not use the GS1 system (rather other barcode symbologies or article number systems). On the other hand, some retailers use the EAN/UPC barcode symbology, but without using a GTIN (for products sold in their own stores only).
Right, the puzzle! Erika Ettin had a really sweet note in the NYT's puzzle notes about how excited she is to be in the NYT, so I just want to extend her a heartfelt congrats (and a belated but no less heartfelt congrats to every other new-to-the-NYT constructor for whom I have neglected to do this). Zipped through the puzzle itself; I didn't note any tough crosses or obscure pop culture/sports trivia. Well, aside from ARNAZ, but I know I should know more about "I Love Lucy." Minor gripes: Musk feels like too obvious of a clue for ELON, and I'm gonna throw in the typical Rex-grouse on the lack of accent on CHERI's cross. Other than that, though, a nice solid little Monday. The berry/Berry thing was cute, and I admire the Cran-Apple bait-and-switch (we all thought it was some tech thing about Apple the corporation, right?).
- PTSD (55D: Possible condition for a war vet, for short) — Alright, soapbox of the week: PTSD's association with war and only war can help mask the fact that it can result from any kind of trauma. 49 percent of sexual assault victims develop PTSD, and 1 in 13 people will develop PTSD at some point in their lifetime. All of which is to say that if you or someone you love experiences trauma, it's important to educate yourself on signs and treatment.
Off the soapbox now, thanks for reading! - NERDS (62A: Crunchy, colorful commercial candies) — My sister used to be obsessed with these. I remember her having Nerds pillows, Nerds sweatpants, a Nerds plushie...who knew a candy could be such a thing?
- HOTEL CALIFORNIA (36A: 1977 #1 Eagles hit) — Is there some sort of law that this needs to be playing on every alternative radio station in the country every time you flick on the radio in the car? I swear, it feels constant.
- AXEL (61A: Skating leap) — And an impressive one at that.
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