Crossword Genius

The old country, so I heard, in a bad way (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rhodesia

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

'the old country' is the definition.
(former country)

'so i heard in a bad way' is the wordplay.
'so i heard' can be anagrammed to 'RHODESIA'.
But, I am unsure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rhodesia that I've seen before include "former state" , "Zimbabwe's old name" , "Former African country" , "Former British colony in central Africa" , "former republic" .)

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