Crossword Genius

Jack Sprat's back stuffing in smörgåsbord - he's a hypocrite! (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tartuffe

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'a hypocrite' is the definition.
(as in 'Tartuffe or The Impostor or The Hypocrite')

'jack sprat's back stuffing' is the wordplay.
'jack' becomes 'tar' (both are informal terms for sailor).
'sprat' becomes 'tuff' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'back' becomes 'bet'.
'stuffing' indicates the central letters.
The central letter of 'bet' is 'e'.
'tar'+'tuff'+'e'='TARTUFFE'

'in smorgasbord he's' acts as a link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tartuffe that I've seen before include "The French play" , "Hypocrite created by Moliere" , "insincere Frenchman" , "Play by Moliere" , "Moliere's hypocrite" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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