NYT Sunday crossword puzzle - circled letters and words?

[CC]

I occasionally take a shot at the puzzle. Last week's, revealed in this Sunday's edition of the mag, was titled "Getting Around." There were a few words in the puzzle, or parts of compound words, that had their spaces circled. The words don't make any sense to me in any combination I can see, and I can't figure out what is the significance of these circled letters/words. Not being an expert in crosswords, I figure that I'm missing or overlooking some basic code or plan. Any help, Dopers? xo,
C.

[CC]

Say, mods, if this is more likely to get responses in Cafe Society, would you please move it there? tx

[Leaper]

This blog entry will explain all. (Given here, and not just explained, to link folks to an interesting daily analysis of the NYT puzzle. Check it out!)