CLEVER CROSSWORD CLUES X

NY Times Crossword
David J. Kahn

The answers to the four clues below are very close to four other expressions which are much more familiar. Once you have correctly answered the clues, can you determine the six-letter word which gives the theme of the puzzle and explains how the answers differ from the more familiar expressions?

1. With "Hello," a pickup line
2. Dentists' convention
3. One who works for the Police Gazette
4. Trying cases, plea bargaining, etc.

Answers:

1. "HELLO, DOLL"
2. TOOTH FAIR
3. COP EDITOR
4. ALL IN A DA'S WORK  

The theme word which explains the puzzle: NOWISE (NO Y'S)

"HELLO DOLLY"
TOOTH FAIRY
COPY EDITOR
ALL IN A DAY'S WORK