Crossword Genius

Half of flipping idle workers getting stick (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

distaff

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

'flipping idle workers getting stick' is the wordplay.
'flipping' is a reversal indicator.
'idle workers getting' becomes 'id' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'stick' becomes 'staff' (staff is a kind of stick).
'id' reversed gives 'di'.
'di'+'staff'='DISTAFF'

'of' is the link.

(Other definitions for distaff that I've seen before include "Rod for flax - not the spear side" , "Female - rod on which wool or flax is wound before spinning" , "Stick holding wood, in spinning" , "(referring to the women)" , "concerning women" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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