Try embracing yokel - the most stupid perhaps (8)

I believe the answer is:

thickest

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'most stupid perhaps' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'try embracing yokel' is the wordplay.
'try' becomes 'test' (synonyms).
'embracing' is an insertion indicator.
'yokel' becomes 'hick' (synonyms).
'test' going around 'hick' is 'THICKEST'.

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for thickest that I've seen before include "very stupid" , "Most dense" , "Least clever" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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