Playing a Cheat! on a Hireling

[Norse]

Hello!

I feel like I really need some clarification regarding this.

In this thread it was ruled that you are able to play a Cheat! card to allow 1 extra Hireling: http://forums.sjgames.com/showthread.php?p=1760573

Whereas in this thread it was explained what exactly you can use a Cheat! card for: http://forums.sjgames.com/showthread.php?t=1044
And it does not mention being able to use a Cheat! card to allow 1 extra Hireling.

Hirelings are not items unless they have a gold piece value. Cheats are played on Items and allow the player to carry and use an item regardless of class or race restriction etc.

We have the munchkin rules for the expansions 2-8 (excluding demented dungeons) and we haven't been able to find proof that you can use a Cheat! card in this way in any of the rule sheets.

If the Hireling is indeed not an item, why are you able to play a Cheat! card on it? Is this the only exception or are there other non-items you can use a Cheat! card with?

Thank you in advance!