The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word PSHAW
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
P
S
H
A
W
More clues leading to the result PSHAW
- Quiet playwright? Don’t make me laugh!
- Mum interrupts Dad with expression of contempt
- Rubbish quiet playwright
- Playwright beginning with page that expresses contempt
- ‘Rubbish!’ playwright’s written at foot of page
- Pooh starts to praise scenic Hundred Acre Wood
- Contempt for mum kept in hand
- Play quietly before dramatist gives expression of contempt
- Page by playwright expressing the very idea!
- Listening to playwright's baloney
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "expression of contempt" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case expression of contempt = pshaw.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PSHAW mean?
PSHAW verb- To express disgust or contempt.
- Indicating disapproval, scoffery, irritation, impatience or disbelief.