Just looked in past posts to see if SPADEFUL had been explained anywhere (from Times Jumbo 823 cryptic 13d clue: Two saints cover up crack in some earth (8)) and saw your explanation. I like the 2 saints 'S' and 'PAUL', but that they are 'covering up' DEF still puzzles me. In what language does 'def' mean 'crack' i.e. excellent? If it is just slang, like 'div' etc. how are we to be expected to know that? How do you know it? I love and appreciate your answers usually, Timessolver.
Thanks for all the replies Spodo, grasscarp & ges 7! I should have looked in dictionaries first . . . It must mean DEF has been round a long time, but I'd missed it. Thanks for replying personally Lie-in King - and Happy Birthday!