Way for American to act crabby? (8)

I believe the answer is:

sidewalk

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'way' is the definition.
(sidewalk is a kind of way)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for sidewalk that I've seen before include "footpath" , "Pavement (US)" , "the way, it's American" , "A pavement in America" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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