Crossword Genius

It may keep tea-bag around bottom (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nethermost

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

'bottom' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'it may keep tea-bag around' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'it' could be 't' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis) and 't' is present in the answer.
'tea' could be 't' (I've seen this in other clues) and 't' is found within the answer.
'around' could be 'o' (a round letter) and 'o' is found in 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 nethermost that I've seen before include "located in lowest position" , "at the bottom of the pile" .)

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