Sunday

[Euphful]

14down. 7 letters what it means to be a barman ???l?a?

[Mamyalynne]

Italian (Vermouth)

[factor-fiction]

I don't see that one, Mamya.

[Mamyalynne]

what IT means to be a barman

Gin and It (Italian vermouth)

[factor-fiction]

Sorry, I still don't get it at all.

[sir.prize]

When bartenders receive orders for “It”, they serve Italian vermouth, as in “Gin and It” .

[Baldric]

ITALIAN

[Baldric]

Friction, does this help?

chowhound.chow.com/topics/411172‎
13 Jun 2007 - Gin and It 3 parts gin 1 part Italian vermouth. Stir with ice and serve in a cocktail glass or over ice in an Old Fashioned glass.

[factor-fiction]

Thanks everyone. Yes, I understand what gin and it means but it's the word BE in the clue that I don't understand. If it said "what it means to a barman.." I'd understand it

[Mamyalynne]

I had never noticed the word 'be' in the clue and agree it is not needed at all.

[factor-fiction]

Thanks. I thought I was cracking up because everyone else could see it. Maybe the clue was mistyped. I can sleep more easily tonight

[factor-fiction]

It seems this was the Sunday Telegraph and I'm relieved to see that the clue was typed incorrectly. The word BE was not part of the clue.
http://bigdave44.com/2009/11/30/dt-26099/