Crossword Genius

Earl seen by lake in swimming togs? Nonsense (12)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

blatherskite

'earl' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'by lake in swimming togs? nonsense' is the wordplay.
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'lake in swimming togs?' becomes 'skite' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'nonsense' becomes 'blather' (blather is a kind of nonsense).
'skite' after 'blather' is 'BLATHERSKITE'.

'seen' is the link.

(Other definitions for blatherskite that I've seen before include "(Person talking) nonsense -- a Lettish berk (anag)" , "Chatterer" , "pants" , "fool" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app