NPR Weekend Edition Sunday Puzzle
March 28, 2010
Will Shortz

Each clue below can be answered by two, two-syllable words. The first vowel in the first answer word contains a short i. Change that to a long i sound, and phonetically you'll get a new word that answers the second clue. For example, given the clues Commandment breaker and John Hancock, the answer words would be sinner and signer.

1. Not flat and Extremely
2. Argue and Hell's Angel
3. More cool and Over-excited
4. Overly prim proper and expensive
5. Resident of England and Become sunny
6. Cooking utensil and naturally illuminated
7. Get bigger, as a cloud and half a stock market mantra
8. Half of a Communist symbol and Spin on a washing machine

Answers:

1. Hilly - Highly
2. Bicker - Biker
3. Hipper - Hyper
4. Prissy - Pricey
5. Briton - Brighten
6. Skillet - Sky-lit
7. Billow - Buy low
8. Sickle - Cycle