NY Times Crossword

April 15, 2021

Brendan Emmett Quigley and Ben Zimmer

 

The following words have something in common that is hinted at by the last clue.

 

1. TAXICAB 

2. CALCIUM

3. PRE-SEASON

4. TOP SECRET

5. HALCYON

6. Starting point for a piano student or a phonetic hint

Answer:

 

The starting point for a piano student is MIDDLE C. Each clue word has the sound of (soft) C as its middle sound. (TAX C CAB)