Crossword Genius

Me, by a table-top: 'where the F is the spread? (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

meat paste

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the spread?' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'me by a table-top 'where the f' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'me' is present in the answer.
'by' could be 'past' (synonyms) and 'past' is located in the answer.
'a' is found in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found in the answer.
A single letter 'e' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'is' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for meat paste that I've seen is " Spread".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app