Crossword Genius

Jack, on the road with Mac? (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tar

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

'jack' is the definition.
(both are informal terms for sailor)

'the road with mac?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ar' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'on' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tar that I've seen before include "Sailor and dressing for roads" , "Pitch; sailor" , "Art (anag.)" , "Slang sailor or road surfacing material" , "Dark viscous flammable substance" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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