Crossword Genius

Behold! 'New joke' at first originated in ancient past (4-3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

long-ago

'ancient past' is the definition.

'behold new joke at first originated' is the wordplay.
'behold' becomes 'lo' ('lo' is an archaic exclamation meaning 'look!').
'new' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation eg NT for New Testament).
'joke' becomes 'gag' (a gag is a joke or witticism).
'at' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'first originated' becomes 'o' (1st letter of 'originated').
'lo'+'n'+'gag'+'o'='LONG-AGO'

'in' is the link.

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.
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