NY Times Crossword
August 12, 1999
Robert H. Wolfe

The word and two phrases below share a very unusual quality that has nothing to do with their meanings. The order of the three is important. Can you determine what's going on?

LAB COAT
REDEFINE
LAUGHING GAS

HINTS:
1. It has to do with the letters.
2. It has to do with a certain sequence.

Answer:

lAB Coat
reDEFine
lauGHIng gas