NY Times Crossword
November 23, 2006
Ari Halpern

What do the following phrases have to do with the dentist?

1. Lame thrower
2. Lying lesson
3. Lower power
4. Lea collars
5. Lag salute

Answer:

The phrases would be much more common if the first words were preceded by F:

1. Flame thrower
2. Flying lesson
3. Flower power
4. Flea collars
5. Flag salute - - - so each word lacks an F - suggesting F-loss or FLOSS