If you solved the revealer early, down at 114 and 115A, it probably made a difference. The device referred to here is semiotic — the NATO PHONETIC ALPHABET. The title I proposed was “Forming an Alliance,” but I think the new title, “Code Switching,” works remarkably well. I also had originally clued NATO and PHONETIC ALPHABET separately to explain what is replacing/replaced in the theme answers, but the new clue simplifies things. It’s exciting to be making my Sunday debut today, and hopefully it will be the first of many.

Source: New York Times March 23, 2019 21:33 UTC