Crossword Genius

Sailor has huge cake outside (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bosun

'sailor' is the definition.
(I know that bosun is a type of Jack)

'huge cake outside' is the wordplay.
'huge' becomes 'os' (abbreviation for outsize).
'cake' becomes 'bun' (bun is a type of cake).
'outside' is an insertion indicator (some letters go outside others).
'os' put into 'bun' is 'BOSUN'.

'has' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for bosun that I've seen before include "Crew's foreman" , "A dimunitive boatswain" , "An abbreviated boatswain" , "Bonus for a small boatswain" , "A short boatswain" .)

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