Silly to pay Heather (8)

I believe the answer is:

footling

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'silly' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'pay heather' is the wordplay.
'pay' becomes 'foot' (footing is a kind of paying).
'heather' becomes 'ling' (synonyms).
'foot'+'ling'='FOOTLING'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for footling that I've seen before include "of little consequence" , "foolish" , "Trivial, irritating" , "Trivial, petty" , "pretty trivial" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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