The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word SHORTHAND
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
S
H
O
R
T
H
A
N
D
More clues leading to the result SHORTHAND
- Pintsize worker’s system of writing
- Rapid way to write with one moving round more slowly
- Temporary help with stenography
- Dash north to translate symbols
- Pint-sized worker creates writing system
- Understaffed editor dispensed with rapid writing
- Secretarial skill is little help
- Drink’s needed by worker — an aid to office work?
- Abbreviated writing is brief and hard to digest
- Vertically challenged worker’s system of writing?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "rapid writing" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case rapid writing = shorthand.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 SHORTHAND mean?
SHORTHAND noun- A rough and rapid method of writing by substituting symbols for letters, words, etc.
- (by extension) Any brief or shortened way of saying or doing something.
- To render (spoken or written words) into shorthand.
- (by extension) To use a brief or shortened way of saying or doing something.
- To write in shorthand.