Crossword Genius

Bear with me, short of English charm (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

totem

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'english charm' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'bear with me short' is the wordplay.
'bear' becomes 'tote' (I've seen this before**).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'me' with its final letter taken off is 'm'.
'tote'+'m'='TOTEM'

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for totem that I've seen before include "Revered object" , "charming symbol, say" , "Emblem of kinship among native Americans" , "Venerated emblem" , "Pole used in ritual" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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