Pop up, just the same (3)

I believe the answer is:

dad

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'pop' is the definition.
(both can mean one's father)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for dad that I've seen before include "Popular father - a palindrome" , "Pa" , "Mum's mate" , "Popular and informal father" , "Papa" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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