Hydrate inside? Ho-hum! I would if you start (8)

I believe the answer is:

humidify

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

'hydrate' is the definition.
(I know that hydrate is a more specific form of the action humidify)

'hum i would if you start' is the wordplay.
'i would' becomes 'I'd'.
'you start' becomes 'y' (I've seen this in other clues).
'hum'+'id'+'if'+'y'='HUMIDIFY'

'inside? ho' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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