Crossword Genius

Not a sure footed mule (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

slipper

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

'sure footed mule' is the definition.
'slipper' can be an answer for 'mule' (I've seen this in another clue). I am not sure about the 'sure footed' bit.

'not a' is the wordplay.
'not' becomes 'slip' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'a' becomes 'per' (eg 'one a day' means 'one per day').
'slip'+'per'='SLIPPER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for slipper that I've seen before include "Accident-prone" , "Casual indoors shoe" , "Indoor shoe" , "Nearby; pub" , "One losing footing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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