Crossword Genius

It helps to remember conmen I’m messing around (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mnemonic

'it helps to remember' is the definition.
(a mnemonic helps you remember something)

'conmen i'm messing around' is the wordplay.
'messing around' indicates anagramming the letters.
'conmen'+'im'='conmenim'
'conmenim' anagrammed gives 'MNEMONIC'.

(Other definitions for mnemonic that I've seen before include "Verse or other aid to help one remember facts" , "It reminds us" , "Something by which to remember" , "Letters aiding memory" , "Phrase devised to assist memory" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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