Times 23,013 Zuleika Dobson clue

[Birchy]

Why would the clue "Surprisingly dull dress for Zuleika Dobson" have the solution "subfusc"? I realise that the word is probably correct in meaning.... but I'm having trouble fitting it to the character. Thanks.

[kev100]

The meaning is correct

http://www.yourdictionary.com/ahd/s/s0839700.html


and below is who she is, but without reading the novel I couldn't fit the word to her either.

http://www.abacci.com/books/book.asp?bookID=2605

[GruntFuttock]

 Subfusc is the (dull) academic dress at Oxford.

 Zuleika Dobson(or 'an Oxford love story') was a beautiful and beautifully dressed undergrad there.

Or am I telling you something you already know?

[Birchy]

Thanks people. No, I didn't already have the Oxford connection. I thought she was a magician, albeit a poor one....or am I getting confused?

[GruntFuttock]

 You're right-she was a magician and not an undergrad(see Kev100 reference source)