Crossword Genius

English stumped, packing freight? French scoff (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

escargot

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

'french scoff' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.

'english stumped packing freight?' is the wordplay.
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation as in OED).
'stumped' becomes 'st' (cricket abbreviation).
'packing' is an insertion indicator (some letters are packed inside).
'freight?' becomes 'cargo' ('cargo' can be a synonym of 'freight').
'st' going around 'cargo' is 'scargot'.
'e'+'scargot'='ESCARGOT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for escargot that I've seen before include "slow food?" , "mollusc, from Paris" , "national delicacy" , "French food" , "Got scare from edible French snail" .)

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