The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 3 letter word REP
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
R
E
P
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Salesman/corded fabric" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case salesman/corded fabric = rep.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 REP mean?
REP verb- To represent; to act as a representative for.
- Repeat
- A repertoire
- A collection of things, or a place where such a collection is kept
- A specific set of works that a company performs
- A theater in which a resident company presents works from a specified repertoire, usually in alternation.
- A repertory company.
- The act or an instance of repeating or being repeated.
- : The act of performing a single, controlled exercise motion. A group of repetitions is a set.
- A piece of information describing, or an account of certain events given or presented to someone, with the most common adpositions being by (referring to creator of the report) and on (referring to the subject).
- Reputation.
- The sharp, loud sound from a gun or explosion.
- An employee whose position in a corporate hierarchy is below that of a particular manager.
- A delegate.
- Something standing for something else.
- What somebody is known for.
- A fabric made of silk or wool, or of silk and wool, and having a transversely corded or ribbed surface.