Crossword Genius

Cannot a sailor be at Cambridge? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cantab

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

'at cambridge?' is the definition.
'Cantab' can be an answer for 'cambridge?' (short for Cantabrigian, meaning from Cambridge). I am not certain of the 'at' bit.

'cannot a sailor' is the wordplay.
'cannot' becomes 'can't' (contraction).
'a sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'cant'+'ab'='CANTAB'

'be' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cantab that I've seen before include "Abbrev for Cambridge University" , "of Cambridge reduced" , "Latinised abbreviation for Cambridge (University)" , "(Degree) from Cambridge (abbr." , "Of Cambridge University, in short" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app