Describing chitchat as pointless pastiche going off (6)
I believe the answer is:
phatic
'off' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution?
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