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I've just read an article which included a clue and solution in the Times Crossword Champs. I can't work out the word play:

Old boring person who's bound, on paper, to be smart

SOIGNEE

I see that the definition is 'to be smart', but lost re. the rest of the clue. Can anyone enlighten me?

A "signee" might have signed a paper contract, thus be "bound on paper"? I confess I've never heard the word.

Signee, a person who has signed a contract or other official document, is in my Oxford Dictionary of English, but not in my Collins or Chambers

Thanks malone.

I could see the O, for old, and that it was going through/boring the Signee, person who's bound on paper... but I'd never seen Signee before. It was worth investigating!

Thanks, ChrisE.

Thank you both, very helpful!

trickyvic

There were lots of complaints about obscure words in 2014, though I cant remember if this was one.

In 2015 and 2016 there were plenty of brilliant, humorous clues and I cant recall any obscure or foreign words being included. I didnt do very well but at least I knew the words when we were give the answers.