Crossword Genius

Put in a word for the working classes (11)

Ross

I think it could be either:

proletarian

proletariat

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

'put' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'a word for the working classes' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' is found in the answer.
'for' could be 'pro' (as in being 'pro' or in favour of something) and 'pro' is found in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for proletariat that I've seen before include "Working-class people" , "The people; workers" , "The lower orders" , "Marx's wage-earning class" , "The working class" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent and The Globe and Mail.
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