Crossword Genius

Chew gum and eat bananas (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

masticate

'chew' is the definition.
('masticate' can be a synonym of 'chew')

'gum and eat bananas' is the wordplay.
'gum' becomes 'mastic' (mastic is a resin also called arabian gum).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'bananas' is an anagram indicator (informal term for mad).
'eat' anagrammed gives 'ate'.
'mastic'+'ate'='MASTICATE'

(Other definitions for masticate that I've seen before include "champ" , "Torpor" , "Chew food" , "Crush" , "deal with mouthful" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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