This puzzle has two parts.
Part I:  The same two letters, in the same, consecutive order, will change each word below into a new one.
Part II:  After you have discovered the new words, try to think of the single word which will fully explain this puzzle. Wordplay is fair play.

AD
AN
GAL
ASH
AGUE
APED

HINT to Part I:
The two new letters are added at the beginning of the words.

Answers to Part I:

The added letters are LE:

LEAD
LEAN
LEGAL
LEASH
LEAGUE
LEAPED

HINT to Part II:
The word means to befuddle or confuse.

Answer to Part II:

ADDLE  (ADD  LE)

Credit: LA Times Crossword
November 20, 2009
Michael Blake