NY Times Crossword
September 28, 2011
Steve Salitan

What do the following words have in common - as explained by the answer to clue 9?

1. AIM
2. ASH
3. EAR
4. EVER
5. INCH
6. OAK
7. OVER
8. UTTER
9. Influence - and the key to this puzzle

HINT:
It has to do with missing letters.

Answer:

Each clue word can be preceded by CL to make a new word:

1. CLAIM
2. CLASH
3. CLEAR
4. CLEVER 
5. CLINCH
6. CLOAK
7. CLOVER
8. CLUTTER
9. CLOUT (CL OUT)