Poor nuns confused by they/them (8)

I believe the answer is:

pronouns

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'theythem' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'poor nuns confused' is the wordplay.
'confused' is an anagram indicator.
'poor'+'nuns'='poornuns'
'poornuns' with letters rearranged gives 'PRONOUNS'.

'by' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pronouns that I've seen before include "They stand instead of 26ac" , "Parts of speech -- poor nuns (anag)" , "Words in place of persons, places or things" .)

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

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