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@paulh

I'm not so sure Paul. I had a pretty tough time as a young man for not sounding like those around me. Perhaps one becomes more self-assured with age but sometimes it's better to try and fit in.

jono@28

LEAN-TO would be a good answer if only it meant a plumber's handbook.

Still thinking.

PaulH, indeed, I cycled through lento, largo, adagio etc with no luck. I wonder if “plumber” is an agent noun, i.e “one who plumbs”. The author is a skilful wordsmith so this may be tricky…

Btw, looking at the actual text I think the question mark is there because it’s a question posed in speech (so not part of the clue)

Lean-to was my first thought too. Is the context likely to be any help, or is this meant to stand on its own merits? And is there any certainty that there is an answer, or is that just assumed?

There are so few candidates for plumber and handbook that it’s certainly challenging. I ended up thinking that it was probably a charade, if there is an answer

Here is the context… it’s on page six…

https://www.hachette.com.au/content/resources/Early%20Riser%20Extract.pdf

Thanks Jono. It would be perverse for the clue not to have a solution, but I don’t know the author!

Thank you Quisling and Paul. I suggest that you give it little more thought. I have found the author online and shall write to him directly (and perhaps report back!)

jono and quisling

https://hackaday.com/2015/02/12/building-things-with-lean-pipe/

Thought I was on to something, but I don't think so.

jono and quisling again

LAG or LAGGING has possibilities but doesn't seem to work cryptically.