American girls reject scum (4)
I believe the answer is:
slag
'scum' is the definition.
(slag is a kind of scum)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for slag that I've seen before include "Smelting or coal waste" , "Mound of waste matter from mine" , "Cinders could become this" , "Smelted-ore refuse" , "Scum on metal - dissolute woman" .)