Crossword Genius

Mean European at the back is from Jordan, say (6,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

middle eastern

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

'back is from jordan say' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'mean european at' is the wordplay.
'mean' becomes 'middle' (I've seen this in another clue).
'european at' becomes 'eastern' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'middle'+'eastern'='MIDDLE EASTERN'

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for middle eastern that I've seen is " From an area stretching from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean".)

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