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Hi, Rusty!
I am so sorry for the delay in replying.....we have had a visitor, bearing gifts!
Thank you for trying to penetrate the fog that is my mind!
I think I shall have to 'pass' on this one.....
I arrived at the answer simply because "smarty- pants" fitted the easy definition......and also fitted the "crossers" ......
And for no other reasons than that.
I cannot follow the parsing and can still see no justification for "pants" being a part of the solution!
I am however very grateful for your inexhaustible tolerance of my failings..... and of my total inability to grasp the reasoning behind this clue!
I shall stand in the corner and wear the dunce's hat!

You can't beat a nice "cuppa", Cerasus!
Maybe it depends on where you live.
It is used a lot in my locality.
I agree it's a clever unusual clue, though not sure if we could convince Elle!

Rusty, I have just had a cuppa (milk, no sugar) The invitation sent to me was via email and was actually worded "Don't forget to join us for a cuppa on Sunday afternoon". I will oblige, but now time to tackle a rodent problem in the shed

Hi, Rusty!
I've just noticed that your and Cersasus' exchanges crossed mine to you!
Scroll back.....

https://www.crosswordunclued.com/2010/06/reverse-anagrams.html

This may help Elle understand the clue a little better

Hello, Elle!
I think we have the best of the weather.
Been very bad in the North of England with floods etd.
Is your cousin OK?
You have no failings to be wearing the dunce's cap!
You just came over a slightly unorthodox clue....and you solved it!
Go to the top of the class (which no teacher ever said to me!).
Hopefully, today's puzzle will cause you no bafflement!

Hi, Rusty!
Well, I have rain here now...and a very dismal day it is turning out to be!
What a disappointment after such a beautiful beginning!
My cousin and family are fine , thank you.
I texted her earlier to check, having read on the News about the northern floods
She lives very high up ....so is usually out of harm's way.
It was very nice of you to ask after her.
Ah, but Rusty, you see I didn't "solve" the clue at all...... I simply provided an easy enough answer!
To me, a clue is only "solved" / completed/ if it is fully parsed......
And that I could not do!
So...a failure chalked up!
I have saved the link about "reverse" anagrams posted by Cerasus, and will "chew it over"!
I haven't started today's crossword ....... I may take a break just for today.
( I don't feel like getting back on this particular horse right now!)



Thank you, Cerasus, for the link.
I have read it through.....and have saved it to "My Favourites" to re-examine later!

Hello, Elle!
Still a great day up here!
Though the sun is starting to set.
Good news that your cousin is out of harms way.
I am sure you'd be fine with today's puzzle.
Nothing desperate in it!
I have the cycling on Red Button this evening.
The World Cup from Glasgow.
No Trotty though, but still a strong team riding.

Hi, Rusty!
It was dark here by about 4.30 today.
I have to keep remembering the necessity of going out with the dog in the very early afternoons, now, so that we are back whilst it is still light.
It takes a bit of getting used to!
I really enjoy the lighter mornings, though....... I hate getting up in the dark.
You will enjoy having the cycling to watch this evening on the Red Button!
And I am looking forward to the ATP World Tour Finals on BBC One all next week.
A treat in store!

Hello, Elle!
I don't really mind it getting dark earlier.
Yes, I am looking forward to the cycling over the weekend.
So is Elinor Barker!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAKMWv6OYeo&t=5s
Hopefully she will win gold in Tokyo next year!