Oafish bosun coiled lines (4)

I believe the answer is:

unco

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

'oafish' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'bosun coiled lines' is the wordplay.
'UNCO' is hidden within the letters.
But, I am uncertain how the hidden word is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for unco that I've seen before include "Rare" , "Very; unusual (Scots)" , "Very; odd (Scottish)" , "Strange; very (Scots.)" , "Strange (Scottish)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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