Crossword Genius

Ordinary man's book abridged (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

joe

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

'ordinary man's' is the definition.
'Joe' can be an answer for 'man's'. I'm unsure of the 'ordinary' bit.

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for joe that I've seen before include "- Bloggs; - Public" , "One of spelt out words" , "Short for Joseph" , "--- Gargery (Great Expectations)" , "-- Bloggs, ordinary man" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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