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Parts of every year produce confusion, so to speak (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

days

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'parts of every year' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'confusion so to speak' is the wordplay.
'confusion' becomes 'daze' (daze is a kind of confusion).
'so to speak' shows a homophone (sound like).
'daze' sounds like 'DAYS'.

'produce' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for days that I've seen before include "Twenty four-hour periods" , "Sun, Mon, Tues, ..." , "Periods of 24 hours" , "Twenty-four hour periods" , "Units of time" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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