Crossword Genius

Two men and a bit of America (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

louisiana

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

'bit of america' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both locations as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'two men and a' is the wordplay.
'two men' means two substitutions for 'man'.
'man' becomes 'louis' ().
'man' becomes 'ian' (man's name).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'louis'+'ian'+'a'='LOUISIANA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for louisiana that I've seen before include "US state, capital Baton Rouge" , "IOU a snail over in the US state" , "State named for French king" , "American state, capital Baton Rouge" , "Southern United State on the Gulf of Mexico" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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