NY Times Crossword
March 28, 2013
Randolph Ross
(horizontal clues)

Hidden in each word or phrase below is a two-letter abbreviation. The abbreviations have a unique relationship. Can you find them all and tell what they have in common?

1. SCATHE
2. VACATION
3. BRINY
4. DOWN HOME
5. DEFER
6. PUMA
7. AMERICAN CITIZEN
8. SPAN
9. SPIRIT
10. DICTATE
11. ENJOY
12. ENGAGE
13. CLAM DIG

Answer:

Hidden in each clue is the state postal abbreviation of one of the 13 Colonies:

1. SCathe 
2. VAcation
3. briNY
4. dowN Home
5. DEfer
6. puMA
7. americaN Citizen
8. sPAn
9. spRIt
10. diCTate
11. eNJoy
12. enGAge
13. claM Dig