Crossword Genius

Language left Jones the architect gutted (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lingo

'language' is the definition.
(informal term for language)

'left jones the architect gutted' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'jones the architect' becomes 'Inigo' (Inigo Jones, 1573-1652).
'gutted' suggests removing the centre (to gut something is to remove its insides).
'inigo' with its centre removed is 'ingo'.
'l'+'ingo'='LINGO'

(Other definitions for lingo that I've seen before include "Argot" , "Language (informally)" , "local dialect" , "French?" , "Johnny Foreigner speaks one" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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