[zzeeman]

...when the first word drew a blank

I get those quite a bit... I figure that I have eliminated 5 letters from the mix.... usually a few vowels, which is helpful...

[null and void]

3” of fluffy white crap on the ground.

[Monkey Face]

My first word eliminates three vowels, and I try to eliminate the other two on my second word. Along with some seldom used consonants. But that works best only if the first word is a dud.