Sort of pipe Spooner couldn't confuse! (7)

I believe the answer is:

corncob

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

'sort of pipe' is the definition.
'corncob' can be an answer for 'pipe' (thesaurus). I'm not sure about the 'sort of' bit.

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for corncob that I've seen before include "Off which maize is eaten" , "Maize ear used for tobacco pipe" , "Smoked" , "Central part of the maize ear" , "Bit of maize" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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