Wall Street Journal Crossword

May 9, 2024

Karen Steinberg

HAND IT OVER

 

A certain letter can be assigned to each pair of words below. The letters, spelled downward, spell an appropriate word. What are the letters, and why is the word appropriate? The puzzle title is a hint.

1. SCHWA - ASSET

2. FLORID - SPIRES

3. BASEMEN - RANSOMS

4. MODEST - RATION

5. BARRE - ARROW

 

Extra hint: 

Relay race

Answer:

 

1. B - SCHWAB - BASSET

2. A - FLORIDA - ASPIRES

3. T - BASEMENT - TRANSOMS

4. O - MODESTO - ORATION

5. N -  BARREN - NARROW

 

The added letter in each case can be "passed" from the end of the first word to the beginning of the second. A BATON is passed (handed over) from one runner to the next in a relay race.