Are small book stores in on it from the beginning? (2,6)
I believe the answer is:
ab initio
'from the beginning?' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'are small book stores in on it' is the wordplay.
'are' becomes 'a' (short for 'are', historical unit of measurement).
'small book' becomes 'bio' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'stores' indicates putting letters inside.
'on' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'in'+'it'='init'
'bio' placed around 'init' is 'binitio'.
'a'+'binitio'='AB INITIO'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ab initio that I've seen before include "Undercoat for metal/wood" , "From the start - in Latin" , "From the beginning in Latin" , "from the outset" , "from scratch" .)