Cheats hiding name sign nicknames (9)
I believe the answer is:
cognomens
'nicknames' is the definition.
(I know this)
'cheats hiding name sign' is the wordplay.
'cheats' becomes 'cons' (conning is a kind of cheating).
'hiding' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'name sign' becomes 'gnome' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'cons' going around 'gnome' is 'COGNOMENS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution?
Install my app