Crossword Genius

Sally keeps minimal shortening in larder (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pleasantry

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

'keeps minimal shortening in larder' is the wordplay.
'keeps' becomes 'lea' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'minimal' indicates taking the first letters.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'larder' becomes 'pantry' (synonyms).
The first letter of 'shortening' is 's'.
'lea'+'s'='leas'
'leas' going within 'pantry' is 'PLEASANTRY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pleasantry that I've seen before include "Sally" , "An agreeable remark" , "facetious trick" , "jocularity" , "Joke, banter" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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