Guardian 25,957: 4D

[AMartinP]

4d: Fingers said to be missing third: d*g*t*. Must be "digits" - can anybody explain why, please?

[Mamyalynne]

I have asked elsewhere and been given this as a possible parse...


Remove third letter of FINGERS - FIGERS, sounds like/said to be FIGURES, which are also digits.


Not keen but the best I have seen so far.

[madrich]

No - Digits are fingers. I can't explain the rest of the clue - and was looking here for an explanation, but Fingers is an adequate definition for digits. google define:digits gives:

Any of the numerals from 0 to 9, esp. when forming part of a number.
A finger (including the thumb) or toe.

I just need to work out the wordplay now :(

[Mamyalynne]

Yes, I did say figures are ALSO digits as are fingers - working the wordplay out was the attempt.

[Crop_sciences]

Digits is pronounced (said) didgits - but is written down missing its third letter

Guardian 25,957

Araucaria

@crop_sciences