The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word EDGEWAYS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
E
D
G
E
W
A
Y
S
More clues leading to the result EDGEWAYS
- ‘Advantage’ means ‘lateral‘
- Side has mass said in an unusual direction
- Seedy wag is removed from the side
- One could get word in this side street: bit of secrecy is needed
- Side first means to follow advantage
- Where you can’t get in a word or aside?
- Thinly snick to 9 — ‘Not out this time, son’
- Gas dye we sprayed on the side
- Creep and sway oddly towards the end
- From the side of women, say raised in English times
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Side first" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case side first = edgeways.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 EDGEWAYS mean?
EDGEWAYS adjective- With the edge facing in the direction of movement.
- With the edge uppermost.
- With the edge facing in the direction of movement.
- With the edge uppermost.
- A form of railway in which the road is causewayed up to the level of the top of the flanges.