Cryptic crossword clue
Question I pose, awful mess of a setter, say? 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word WHOOPSIE

I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "(dog) mess, (i.e.) of a setter, say?" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case (dog) mess, (i.e.) of a setter, say? = whoopsie.
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.

Crossword Answer definitions

WHOOPSIE noun
  1. A piece of excrement.
  2. A homosexual man, especially one who has camp mannerisms.

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