Crossword Genius

Flipping parrot, a timid scoffing copycat (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

imitator

'copycat' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'flipping parrot a timid scoffing' is the wordplay.
'flipping' says the letters should be written backwards.
'scoffing' says the answer is hidden in the clue (the answer has been scoffed or eaten by the clue).
'rotatimi' is hidden within 'parrot a timid'.
'rotatimi' back-to-front is 'IMITATOR'.

(Other definitions for imitator that I've seen before include "Ape" , "Copycat" , "Someone copying the behaviour of another" , "One who copies another" , "Copier, mimic" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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