Crossword Genius

Oblique references to endlessly strange disease (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

asides

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'oblique references' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for asides that I've seen before include "Daises (anag.)" , "Words spoken on stage" , "Words spoken so that certain people won't hear" , "They're not heard by everybody" , "Words spoken from corner of mouth" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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