Crossword Genius

Father to give money to middleman for fruit (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

papaya

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'for fruit' is the definition.
(papaya is a kind of fruit)

'father to give money to middleman' is the wordplay.
'father' becomes 'pa' (pa can mean dad or father).
'to give money' becomes 'pay' (paying someone is giving them money).
'to middleman' becomes 'a' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'pa'+'pay'+'a'='PAPAYA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for papaya that I've seen before include "Large, green West Indian fruit" , "Tree with orange-fleshed fruit and black seeds" , "Tropical fruit with pink flesh and black seeds" , "Custard apple" , "Fruit with orange flesh" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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