What do the following words have in common?

 

SON

SCOT

DOG

TALE

REIN

LADY

CRETE

 

HINT:

LINGER could be added to the list.

 

Answer:

 

The letters MA can be added or inserted somewhere in each clue to make a new word:

 

MASON

MASCOT

DOGMA

TAMALE

REMAIN

MALADY

CREMATE

(MALINGER) 

 

Credit:

Richard Silvestri