Crossword Genius

Maniac bachelor, worn out in the shade (3,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nut brown

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'the shade' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't tell whether it can be defined by this definition.

'maniac bachelor worn out' is the wordplay.
'maniac' becomes 'nut' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'bachelor' becomes 'B' (abbreviation e.g. BA=Bachelor of Arts).
'out' is an anagram indicator (out can mean wrong or inaccurate).
'worn' with letters rearranged gives 'rown'.
'nut'+'b'+'rown'='NUT-BROWN'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nut brown that I've seen before include "Hazel when fully developed!" , "dark colour" , "darkish colour?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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