Crossword Genius

Nonsense about character friend put up (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

claptrap

'nonsense' is the definition.
(informal term meaning nonsense or rubbish)

'put up' is the wordplay.
'put' becomes 'clap' (clapping is a kind of putting).
'up' becomes 'trap' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'clap'+'trap'='CLAPTRAP'

'about character friend' acts as a link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

(Other definitions for claptrap that I've seen before include "Cobblers" , "Pretentious talk used to win applause" , "Foolish or pretentious talk" , "Pretentious rot" , "Bull" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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