Crossword Genius

Car breaks down in Maine, upsetting New Yorker? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

american

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'new yorker?' is the definition.
(new yorker is a kind of American)

'car breaks down in maine upsetting' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'maine' could be 'me' (abbreviation) and 'me' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for american that I've seen before include "Main race confused in USA" , "like Buffalo Bill" , "One from the States" , "Film starring Kevin Spacey" , "Native to the USA" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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