NY Times Crossword
April 9, 2009
Patrick Blindauer and Tony Orbach

The same two letters, in the same, consecutive order, can change the three words below into new ones. What are the two letters, and what are the new words?

Note from JA: Even if you get them, notice the clever clue given as the HINT.

DEN
DING
ONE

HINT:
Contented sighs  (and a homophonic hint to the answer)

Answer:

The letters are OZ:

DOZEN
DOZING
OZONE

HINT: AAHS