Crossword Genius

They take off dirt with soaps in a lather (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

parodists

'they take off' is the definition.
(to take off can mean to mockingly imitate)

'dirt with soaps in a lather' is the wordplay.
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'in a lather' is an anagram indicator (phrase meaning 'nervous or anxious').
'dirt'+'soaps'='dirtsoaps'
'dirtsoaps' is an anagram of 'PARODISTS'.

(Other definitions for parodists that I've seen before include "They mock" , "They take off" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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