UNSELFISHNESS

Credit: NY Times Crossword - Jan. 2, 2000

Rich Norris

What do the following words have in common?

FLING

CLAM

CHEF

PAN

PLOT

HINTS:

#1. The title is a clue.

#2. The same letter can be inserted into each word to create new words.

Answer:

UNSELFISHNESS suggests no "I's."

Inserting the letter I into each word changes them into:

FILING

CLAIM

CHIEF

PAIN

PILOT