NY Times Crossword

December 2, 2021

Rebecca Goldstein

 

The six phrases below have something in common that is cleverly hinted at by the last clue. The common property has nothing to do with the meanings of the phrases.

 

1. AMERICAN LIT

2. INTERNAL CLOCK 

3. VOLCANOES

4. PENAL COLONY

5. MONTREAL CANADA

6. VATICAN LIBRARY

7. One of a pair at the dinner table

HINT: The constructor hopes this puzzle is not too salty.

Answer:

 

The first six phrases each contain some arrangement of the consecutive letters NACL (NaCl) - sodium chloride - salt. The answer to Clue 7 is SALT SHAKER - the letters NaCl - "shaken up".