What is unusual about the array of letters below? Can you think of a two-word phrase to explain it?

                  E RAS

KITCHEN S I NK

                  NOT E

                  S TEW 

HINT to the explaining phrase:

Medium for secret messages

Answers:

 

Explaining phrase:

DISAPPEARING INK

 

Three of the words reading down - RIOT, ANTE,  and SKEW - remain valid words if the letters INK of KITCHEN SINK  are removed (disappear) - leaving ROT, ATE, and SEW. 

Credit:

Wall Street Journal Crossword

February 1, 2024

Mike Shenk

VANISHING ACT