Porcus

[Bird Lives]

I thought this might be an original idea, but as it turns out, it played a part in at least one other meta, or so I was reminded by someone whose memory for these things is better than mine. (I’m not naming names, and “someone whose memory is better than mine” doesn’t do much to limit the field). I went ahead and finished constructing the puzzle anyway. That was several weeks ago. Then recently, something similar turned up in another WSJ puzzle. What’s a constructor to do? Go ahead and publish it anyway – at least, that’s what this constructor did.

One of the themers (72A) does not strictly hew to the format, but it's close. Coming up with these themers was challenging. My favorite among them is not my own creation but that of my niece. Try it yourself, please, and PM me your best candidates.

{Update: Solvers have called my attention to a big mistake: the order of two of the nine letters is inverted. My apologies.)

Thanks to @Abide for advice and tolerance and to @Joe Ross for indispensable technical assistance.

"Porcus" crosshare

"Porcus" PUZ

"Porcus" PDF

"Porcus" spreadsheet

[CPJohnson]

Jay, NEVER apologize for using a "used" metanism! It's always my hope that the metanism will be something I've seen before, and that I will remember it in time for it to help!

[boharr]

Off the couch, having fun. Thanks, Jay.

[rjy]

Off the couch! Fun one, Jay!

[KayW]

Fun one - thanks Jay!

[ChrisKochmanski]

OTC!

Cool!

Thanks, Jay!

[jhseeman]

off the couch....fun one.

Thanks Jay

[Wendy Walker]

Thanks, Jay!

[lbray53]

Fun meta. I don't remember every seeing this mechanism. But then I don't remember what I had for dinner last night.

There are a couple of things I am not sure about but the answer was a lock. Looking forwrd to the reveal and discussion.

[ky-mike]

Off the couch to start the week. Fun puzzle.

[ajk]

Got it after a brief initial 28D. Fun stuff, thanks.

[woozy]

Kee-yute.

But... I think I made some errors. But enough correct to get it and confirmed.

[SJMcK]

One of the themers (71A) does not strictly hew to the format, but it's close.

There is no 71A

[minimuggle]

This puzzle was fun Jay. Thanks. I do remember the other puzzle with a similar mechanism and that one totally stumped me. I'm off the couch and confirmed on Crosshare.

[MarkWoychick]

Off the couch, and thanks for the puzzle, Jay!

[Cinny]

Off the couch. My memory is just not what it used to be. I don't even remember a recent meta with this mechanism!

[bhamren]

Nice one - off the couch

[Bird Lives]

One of the themers (71A) does not strictly hew to the format, but it's close.

There is no 71A

Sorry, 72A. I only missed it by one.

[MatthewL]

Off the couch. Finally. Thanks for the puzzle Jay! Love the clue at 21A -- very clever.

[edestlin]

Off the couch! Fun grid, though I stumbled pretty badly in the southwest corner. Once I got the metanism it was fun and mostly smooth sailing. Thanks for the puzzle, Jay!