Crossword Genius

State ... "Popular Caledonian making wooden wall panelling!" (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wainscot

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

'wooden wall panelling' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'state popular caledonian' is the wordplay.
'state' becomes 'wa' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'popular' becomes 'in' ('in' can mean trendy).
'caledonian' becomes 'scot' (I've seen this before).
'wa'+'in'+'scot'='WAINSCOT'

'making' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for wainscot that I've seen before include "Wood panelling on lower walls of room" , "Wooden panel on a wall" , "Wooden panelling on lower wall of a room" , "Boarding" , "Wooden wall lining" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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