Crossword Genius

Physicist backing Whistler’s claim? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fermi

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

'physicist' is the definition.
(Enrico Fermi the nuclear physicist)

'backing whistler's claim?' is the wordplay.
'backing' says the letters should be written backwards.
'whistler' becomes 'ref' (a referee blows a whistle).
'claim?' becomes 'mi' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ref' reversed gives 'fer'.
'fer'+'mi'='FERMI'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fermi that I've seen before include "Enrico, Italian Nobel prize physicist" , "Enrico -----, Italian nuclear physicist (1901-1954); in the US from 1939" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app