Crossword Genius

Hotlines got crossed for student of culture (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ethnologist

'student of culture' is the definition.
(an ethnologist studies different cultures)

'hotlines got crossed' is the wordplay.
'crossed' indicates an anagram.
'hotlines'+'got'='hotlinesgot'
'hotlinesgot' with letters rearranged gives 'ETHNOLOGIST'.

'for' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for ethnologist that I've seen before include "One studying different peoples" , "Studier of different peoples" , "Race expert" , "Student of races and peoples" .)

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