This is a word ladder from HAND to FOOT, but the clues are out of order. Each word differs by one letter from the previous word. The full ladder – including the clues which lead to each word – looks like this:
- HAND
- HIND – Rear, as a leg
- WIND – Air current
- WILD – Not tame
- WELD – Connect metal using heat
- MELD – Combine, often referring to sets of cards
- MELT – Become liquid
- FELT – Cloth made of pressed wool
- FEST – Big party, for short
- ???? – The answer to this puzzle
- MIST – Fine spray or light rain
- MAST – Vertical pole on a boat
- MASH – Alan Alda show
- MOSH – Dance violently
- GOSH – Golly!
- POSH – Swanky or luxurious
- POST – Opposite of pre-
- PORT – City with a harbor
- FORT – ____ Sumter
- FOOT
The only two four-letter combinations that can link FEST and MIST are FIST and MEST. Of those, FIST is the real word – and the answer to the puzzle.