Crossword Genius

Two in eight old people accepted topless bars (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oarsmen

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'two in eight old people accepted topless bars' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'old people accepted topless bars' is the wordplay.
'old' becomes 'o' (abbreviation).
'people' becomes 'men' (men are people).
'accepted' indicates putting letters inside.
'topless' means to remove the first letter.
'o'+'men'='omen'
'bars' with its first letter taken away is 'ars'.
'omen' enclosing 'ars' is 'OARSMEN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for oarsmen that I've seen before include "They row the boat" , "possibly eight in a row" , "Male rowers" , "Scullers" , "People in boats" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.
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