January 31, 2026

Title: HAVEN'T YOU HEARD? (Freestyle)

Constructor: Boaz Moser

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme synopsis:

HAVEN'T YOU HEARD? (Freestyle): There's no theme today, as this is a freestyle, or themeless, puzzle. The title is a nod to WORD TRAVELS FAST (36A: "Rumors get around quickly"). 

What I learned from today's puzzle:

• WAVE (15A: "The Great ___ off Kanagawa" (woodblock print)) Hokusai (1760-1849) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist. Ukiyo-e, which translates to "pictures of the floating world," is a genre of art that flourished during the Edo period of Japanese history (1603-1868). The Great WAVE off Kanagawa is a woodblock print that is the first in a series by Hokusai titled Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. Although I needed the help of crossing answers to get this answer, once I looked up the print, the image was familiar to me. It is one of the most famous artworks in the world. Approximately 8,000 prints of The Great WAVE off Kanagawa were originally made, and it's estimated that just over 100 of those prints are still in existence. Many of the surviving prints are in museums, including three prints at the Art Institute of Chicago.
• IDLE GAMES (7D: Time killers such as Cookie Clicker) The game Cookie Clicker is new to me, and I have mixed feelings about learning about this IDLE GAME. (I will not check out this GAME. I will not check out this GAME...) An IDLE GAME is one that progresses with minimal player interaction needed. In the case of Cookie Clicker, that action is (as one might guess from the GAME'S name) clicking on cookies.
• PITT (30D: PA university with the tallest academic building in the U.S.) PITT is the University of Pittsburgh, whose central campus is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This much I knew. The fun fact about the tallest academic building in the U.S. is interesting to learn. That building is the Cathedral of Learning, a 42-story skyscraper that stands at 535 feet tall. This is fun: the building is apparently referred to as "Cathy" by students. 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• PIG (6A: Radioactive animal that bit Spider-Ham) Spider-Ham AKA Peter Porker is a Marvel comic book character, and as the name suggests, is a parody version of Spider-Man. Spider-Ham's first appearance was in the 1983 comic book, Marvel Tails Starring Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham. The character appeared in the 2018 movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, voiced by John Mulaney.
• GENE (24A: Apt name for a DNA researcher) The scientist in me is a tremendous fan of this addition to my collection of apt name clues.
• PEAR (25A: Fruit whose juice concentrate is in Fruit Roll-Ups) and JELL-O (57A: Jiggle dessert that debuted in 1897) Fruit Roll-Ups are a brand of fruit leather (thin gummy sheets) whose main ingredient is sugar. One of the sources of sugar is PEAR juice concentrate. The JELL-O brand of gelatin dessert was trademarked in 1897 by Pearle Bixby Wait. He and his wife took granulated gelatin (which was patented in 1845 by Peter Cooper) and added fruit flavoring and sugar to it to make JELL-O. Are you wondering why I listed these two answers together? There are very few foods I dislike, but PEARs and JELL-O top the list. It made me laugh to see them both in the puzzle. 
• SMALL (31A: "What a ___ world!") This clue and answer combo gave me the earworm "It's a SMALL World (After All)," which may possibly be the most played song in music history thanks to its use at Disney theme parks. You're welcome for sharing that earworm with you.
• WOMAN (33A: Valentina Tereshkova was the first one in space) Valentina Tereshkova is a former Soviet cosmonaut. In 1963, she flew a solo mission on Vostok 6, orbiting the Earth 48 times and spending nearly three days in space. As the clue informs us, she was the first WOMAN in space.
• MOI (35A: "You think I did that?") Three days ago we saw MOI clued as [Me, in French], and I mentioned that the word MOI always makes me think of Miss Piggy. Speaking of Miss Piggy, HAVEN'T YOU HEARD that The Muppet Show is making a return (for one episode, at least) on February 4? It's on my calendar!
• PIZZA PARTY (3D: Event where everyone wants a piece of the pie?) I like this clue. Also, if anyone ever wants to invite me to a PIZZA PARTY, I'm in.
• SIR (20D: "___, this is a Wendy's") "SIR, this is a Wendy's," is a funny way to point out that a comment is inappropriate. The line originated from an episode of The Office in which the main character calls Wendy's looking for a date. The Wendy's employee replies with "Dude, this is a Wendy's restaurant." The saying morphed over time to "SIR, this is a Wendy's."
• UM, ACTUALLY (28A: "Not to be pedantic, but...") We all know that person who offers "helpful" clarification that isn't asked for. UM, ACTUALLY, that person is sometimes me. Ha!
• WATER POLO (33D: Sport whose players master the eggbeater kick) The eggbeater kick is a style of swimming kick that allows a swimmer to maintain stability in the water while having their hands free. WATER POLO players use the eggbeater kick so their hands are free to interact with the ball.
• NSYNC (34D: "Bye Bye Bye" band)  "Bye Bye Bye" is the lead single from NSYNC's 2000 album, No Strings Attached. 
• KEN (45D: Documentarian Burns) KEN Burns is known for his documentary films, including The Civil War (1990), The National Parks: America's Best Idea (2009), and The Roosevelts (2014).
• ISLAM (49D: Imam's faith) In ISLAM, an Imam is a worship leader.
• JAY (57D: SNL alum Pharaoh) Comedian JAY Pharaoh was an SNL cast member from 2010 to 2016. He was particularly known on the show for his impressions of Barack Obama, Eddie Murphy, and Shaquille O'Neal. 
• A few other clues I especially enjoyed:
• MAZES (16A: Activities often found on kids' menus)
• YAY, ME (64A: "I'm the GOAT!")
• SWIVEL (9D: spin around in a desk chair)

WORD TRAVELS FAST is a great grid-spanning entry, and I enjoyed seeing it as the anchor entry of today's puzzle. And speaking of spreading the WORD (kind of...), if you missed last week's plugs for Boswords and the ORCAS, I encourage you to check them out. Thank you, Boaz, for this fun puzzle.