Crossword Genius

Idiot can upset a humorist (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nitwit

'idiot' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'can upset a humorist' is the wordplay.
'can' becomes 'tin' ('tin' can be a synonym of 'can').
'upset' says the letters should be written backwards.
'a humorist' becomes 'wit' (wit is a kind of humorist).
'tin' back-to-front is 'nit'.
'nit'+'wit'='NITWIT'

(Other definitions for nitwit that I've seen before include "Plonker" , "Twin it with a right eejit" , "Silly person (colloq.)" , "Simpleton" , "Informally, a foolish person, featherbrain" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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