Crossword Genius

Gag staff must keep wearing? This is irregular (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

minuteman

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'irregular' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'gag staff must keep wearing?' is the wordplay.
'gag' becomes 'mute' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'staff' becomes 'man' (as in staffing or manning a particular place).
'must keep' indicates putting letters inside.
'wearing?' becomes 'in' (you are 'in' the clothes you're wearing).
'mute'+'man'='muteman'
'muteman' going around 'in' is 'MINUTEMAN'.

'this is' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for minuteman that I've seen before include "one formed up in Lexington" , "One ready to serve" , "Former American militia member" , "could be called up at short notice" , "American revolutionary militia member" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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