What do the following words have in common?

1. BIT

2. STY

3. LET

4. OUR

5. CUR

6. KEN

7. LICE

8. DIAL

9. ROSE

10. DINE

11. PHEW

12. LEGAL 

HINT:

Two letters (different for each word) can be added before each word.

Answers:

 

A U.S. state postal abbreviation can be added before each clue to form a new word: 

 

1. MALICE 

2. MISTY

3. VALET

4. SCOUR

5. INCUR

6. WAKEN

7. MALICE

8. MEDIAL

9. MOROSE

10. IODINE

11. NEPHEW

12. ILLEGAL

 

Credit: 

Joseph Appel

(After a puzzle by Todd Kreisman)

 

Note: Similar puzzle: Posted 9/7/22