Unlocking the Clue: Can’t Crack the Word Before Secret or Paperback?

The crossword question states that the word that comes before “secret” or “paperback” is “trade“. This means that there is a common phrase or term that begins with “trade” and ends with either “secret” or “paperback“. One possible answer could be “trade paperback“, which refers to a type of book that is published in a larger, more durable format and is typically sold in bookstores or online. Another potential answer is “trade secrets“, which are confidential business practices or information that give a company a competitive advantage.