NY Times Crossword
December 19, 2019
Andy Kravis and Erik Agard (I)

The answers to the paired clues below share the same letters except for the two that can fill either side of the slash mark ( / ). Use the clues below to determine the letters, and then try to see what two things they have in common. For example,

RA / S
Improvisational Indian music
Wet weather

The answer words are RAGAS and RAINS.
The letters before and after the slash mark are GA/IN.

1)
 / VER
Table charge in a club
Absolutely not

2)
COMPA / CAR
Executive's perk, maybe
It might fit in a tight spot

3)
S / TS
Kills a fly
Kinds

4)
 / GRATE
Move
Unappreciative one

Answers:

1)
COVER
NEVER - - - CO/NE

2)
COMPANY CAR
COMPACT CAR - - - NY/CT

3)
SWATS
SORTS - - - WA/OR

4)
MIGRATE
INGRATE - - - MI/IN

What the letters before and after the / have in common:

They are the postal abbreviations of U.S. states and the two states are contiguous!