Unsuccessful ventures of nameless gaolers of the past (7)
I believe the answer is:
turkeys
'gaolers of the past' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for turkeys that I've seen before include "Movie flops" , "Theatre flops or Christmas birds" , "The birds for cranberry sauce, or theatre flops" , "Birds with fan-shaped tails" .)