Crossword Genius

Language old lady uttered puts off daughter (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

masai

'language' is the definition.
(Masai is an example)

'old lady uttered puts off daughter' is the wordplay.
'old lady' becomes 'ma' (both can mean mother).
'uttered' becomes 'said' (saying is a kind of uttering).
'puts off' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'daughter' becomes 'd' (genealogical abbreviation).
'said' with 'd' taken away is 'sai'.
'ma'+'sai'='MASAI'

(Other definitions for masai that I've seen before include "Well-known tribe of Eastern Africa" , "People of the highlands of Kenya and Tanzania" , "E.African pastoral people" , "Price increase" , "Highlander in Africa" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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