Crossword Genius

Stupid journalist travels west, then north, south and east (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dense

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

'stupid' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'journalist travels west then north south and east' is the wordplay.
'journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'travels west' is a reversal indicator.
'then north south' becomes 'ns' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'east' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'ed' backwards is 'de'.
'de'+'ns'+'e'='DENSE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dense that I've seen before include "Close knit" , "Stupid; compacted" , "Thick, compact or crowded" , "Stupid, crowded together" , "Not very bright" .)

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