Criminal alleges ecstasy’s the talk of the bar? (8)
I believe the answer is:
legalese
'talk of the bar?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'criminal alleges ecstasy's' is the wordplay.
'criminal' indicates an anagram.
'ecstasy' becomes 'E' (informal term for the drug).
'alleges' anagrammed gives 'legales'.
'legales'+'e'='LEGALESE'
'the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for legalese that I've seen before include "contract wording?" , "formal language" , "such language at the bar!" , "barman's peculiar words" , "it's hard for most to understand" .)