Crossword Genius

Absurd act involving cleaner before commercial, European (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

charade

'absurd act' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'cleaner before commercial european' is the wordplay.
'cleaner' becomes 'char' (charwoman is a type of cleaner).
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'commercial' becomes 'ad' (abbreviation for advertisement).
'european' becomes 'e' (abbreviation e.g. EU).
'char'+'ad'+'e'='CHARADE'

'involving' is the link.

(Other definitions for charade that I've seen before include "Blatant deception" , "Farcical pretence" , "Game in which the puzzle is acted out" , "absurd behaviour" , "absurd act" .)

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