Crossword Genius

Parishioners learning about silly nonsense (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

folderol

'silly nonsense' is the definition.
(folderol means fuss or nonsense)

'parishioners learning about' is the wordplay.
'parishioners' becomes 'fold' (fold can mean a group of parishioners).
'learning' becomes 'lore' (both can mean tradition or knowledge).
'about' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'lore' reversed gives 'erol'.
'fold'+'erol'='FOLDEROL'

(Other definitions for folderol that I've seen before include "trifle" , "something unimportant" , "Ornamental object of no great value" , "Refrain" , "Trivial or nonsensical fuss" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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