November 29, 2025

Title: HEARTSTRINGS (Freestyle)

Constructor: Willa Angel Chen Miller

Editor: Amie Walker

Theme synopsis:

HEARTSTRINGS (Freestyle): There's no theme today, as this is a freestyle, or themeless, puzzle. The title is a nod to LOVE LANGUAGE (28A: Preferred way to express and receive care).

What I learned from today's puzzle:

• SMELLS (32A: Code ___ (signs of underlying problems, in programming)) I have only done a little computer programming, and most of that was in the 1980s. It makes sense, therefore, that I am unfamiliar with "code SMELLS," a term popularized in the 1990s. As the clue explains, code SMELLS indicate there's a problem with the code. Code SMELLS (as I understand it) are not bugs themselves, but are certain code characteristics that indicate weakness in design and may increase the risk of future bugs. This is fascinating, and I'm happy to learn this term.
• CAMELS (27A: Animals jumped over by some Yemeni athletes) Yemen is a country in West Asia. CAMEL jumping is a traditional sport in Yemen, and it is pretty much what it sounds like. CAMELS are placed side to side (standing, not kneeling), and men compete to see who can jump over the most CAMELS. The sport is particularly popular among members of the Zaraniq tribe, and may have started as a dare between two tribesmen. CAMEL jumping contests are typically held on important occasions, such as weddings and festivals.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• GLAMPING (16A: Experiencing nature in comfort, say) I have never been GLAMPING, but it does appeal to me, because I'm not a huge fan of camping. GLAMPING could well be in my future.
• WOE (25A: It's a bummer!) The exclamation point at the end of the clue indicates that the clue is to be interpreted literally. A WOE is literally a bummer.
• LOVE LANGUAGE (28A: Preferred way to express and receive care) The idea of LOVE LANGUAGEs was popularized by a 1992 book by Gary Chapman, The Five LOVE LANGUAGEs: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. The idea presented in the book that there are five main LOVE LANGUAGEs isn't strongly supported by evidence, but the term itself (which has been around since the 1600s, according to Merriam Webster's Dictionary) has stuck around and seen increased usage. 
• EELS (41A: Underwater creatures that look like 58-Across) and SNAKES (58A: Ophidiophobe's fear) Ophidiophobia is the fear of SNAKES. It's a subset of herpetophobia, the fear of reptiles. I imagine that most ophidiophobes would also be afraid of EELS.
• MARS (44A: It was once explored by Sojourner) Sojourner was a robotic rover that landed on MARS on July 4, 1997 as part of NASA's Pathfinder mission. The rover, which was named after Sojourner Truth, had a planned mission of seven days, and was active for 85 days. Sojourner was the first MARS rover, and was not much bigger than a microwave. Here's a fun thing about Sojourner's mission: The rover imaged many rocks on the surface of MARS, and those rocks were given fun names such as Yogi, Pop Tart, and Barnacle Bill.
• LEGS (45A: Appendages insured by some athletes) Athletes aren't the only ones who might take out an insurance policy on their LEGS. Apparently back in the 1940s, Lloyds of London insured Betty Grable's legs for $1 million.
• GLAM (14D: Flashy rock subgenre) It's kind of fun that GLAM is crossing GLAMPING. Perhaps if I ever do go GLAMPING I will listen to some GLAM rock.
• GRANDE (18D: "Thank U, Next" singer) Ariana GRANDE's song, "Thank U, Next" was released in 2018 and is the lead single from the album of the same name. This reminds me of the movie Wicked: For Good, which was released a little over a week ago. Ariana GRANDE portrays Glinda in both this movie and last year's part 1, Wicked. My husband and I went to see Wicked: For Good this week, and we both enjoyed it a lot. I've seen reviews from a number of film critics that didn't care for it, but as a Wicked fan, I thought it was excellent.
• ADELE (24D: "Someone Like You" singer) "Someone Like You" is a song from ADELE's 2011 album, 21. "Never mind I'll find someone like you / I wish nothing but the best for you, too…"
• LORNA (45D: ___ Doone (cookie brand))  LORNA Doone is a brand of shortbread cookies. They were first sold in 1912. There's no official record of how the cookies came to be named LORNA Doone, but it has been speculated that they were named after the title character in LORNA Doone, an 1869 novel by R. D. Blackmore.
• YET (50D: "Haven't Met You ___" (Michael Buble song)) "Haven't Met You YET" is a 2009 song by Michael Bublé. It occurs to me that this song pairs well with ADELE's song, "Someone Like You."
• A couple of other answers I especially enjoyed:
• PET PEEVE (3D: Personal annoyance)
• LIFE HACK (33D: Clever trick to save money or time)

Did this puzzle pull at your HEARTSTRINGS? Perhaps crossword puzzles are your LOVE LANGUAGE... Thank you, Willa, for this enjoyable puzzle.