With pickpocket like that Sam, can I change compulsive sots? (12)
I believe the answer is:
dipsomaniacs
'sots?' is the definition.
(dipsomaniac is a kind of sot)
'with pickpocket like that sam can' is the wordplay.
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'pickpocket' becomes 'dip' (synonyms).
'like that' becomes 'so' (as in 'like so').
'sam can' becomes 'maniacs' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'dip' put next to 'so' is 'dipso'.
'dipso'+'maniacs'='DIPSOMANIACS'
'i change compulsive' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution?
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