Crossword Genius

Was nosy parker not content with English in papers? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pried

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'was nosy' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'content with english in papers?' is the wordplay.
'content with' becomes 'pr' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'papers?' becomes 'ID' (identity papers).
'e' put inside 'id' is 'ied'.
'pr'+'ied'='PRIED'

'parker not' is the link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pried that I've seen before include "was impertinent" , "became inquisitive" , "Made intrusive enquiries" , "Speaking of sin" , "Snooped" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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