Crossword Genius

Stock ending for rude joke (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

equip

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'stock ending' is the definition.
'equip' can be an answer for 'stock' (thesaurus). I am not sure about the 'ending' bit.

'rude joke' is the wordplay.
'rude' becomes 'e' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'joke' becomes 'quip' (a quip is a joke or witticism).
'e'+'quip'='EQUIP'

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for equip that I've seen before include "Provide with requirements" , "Give what's needed" , "Provide stuff" , "Accoutre" , "Furnish with requirements" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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