Crossword Genius

Old and mean but not at first too old (4-3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

over-age

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

'too old' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'old and mean but not at first' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'old' could be 'o' (abbreviation) and 'o' is found in the answer.
'first' could be 'a' (first letter of the alphabet) and 'a' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'verge' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for over-age that I've seen is " Too old".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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