Crossword Genius

Knot in macrame is swell, say (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

americanism

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'swell say' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both human attributes as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'knot in macrame is' is the wordplay.
'knot' is an anagram indicator (I've seen 'knotted' mean this).
'in'+'macrame'+'is'='inmacrameis'
'inmacrameis' is an anagram of 'AMERICANISM'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for americanism that I've seen before include "Custom or phrase from the US" , "Uncle Sam's expression" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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