What A Door Hireling Can Use

[Gidoza]

The Hirelings in Need For Steed read that (for example, a Thief Hireling) it can use any item that would be usable by a Thief. So, which of these situations is the correct interpretation of this line...

1. This Hireling can only use items that say "usable by Thief only" on them.
2. This Hireling can use any item that is "Thief only" or has no class/race restrictions on it.
3. This Hireling can use any items that are "Thief only," have no class restriction on them, AND any items with a race restriction (because a Thief can indeed use an Orc item if the Thief is an Orc, but the Hireling's race is unspecified...).
4. This Hireling can use any items except items that say "not usable by Thief" (for nothing stops a Thief from being a Super Munchkin, and therefore even a Thief can use Warrior items if it is a Super Munchkin Thief-Warrior). And perhaps even "not usable by Thief" items would apply, for Super Munchkin Thieves can use these, too.
5. With respect to 3. and 4., if these aren't interpreted correctly on the face of it, then does the player's own race/class/Super Munchkinliness/whatever influence what the Hireling could carry?

6. Also, the standard Hirelings from the earlier decks have a different description on them. I am presuming that they can use ANY item as described on the card, but tossing them to the monsters only permits escape from ONE monster, unlike the Door Hirelings, which allow someone to escape from the whole combat.


Please inform as to which of these scenarios is correct...thanks!