The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word SPOONERISM
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
S
P
O
O
N
E
R
I
S
M
More clues leading to the result SPOONERISM
- One applying to watch birds will do just that
- Reverend’s mistake: lovey-dovey type is married
- 14 Something said by self-described birdwatcher?
- No promises to be broken? It sounds the wrong way round
- Device that makes chick peas choose Cheddar, perhaps?
- So I’m person sporting best gear for guest beer?
- Belly jeans, for example?
- “Three cheers for our queer old dean!”, à la Oxford don
- Queer old dean, say, breaking no promises
- Promises no changes -- an error in speech
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Unintended exchange of early letters" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case unintended exchange of early letters = spoonerism.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 SPOONERISM mean?
SPOONERISM noun- A play on words on a phrase in which the initial (usually consonantal) sounds of two or more of the main words are transposed.