The Times Crossword Friday Masterclass: Episode 24

** TODAY'S PUZZLE **
In the 24th edition of our attempt to solve a Friday Times crossword, Simon takes on today's puzzle, which is rated harder than average! Simon guesses this puzzle is by Jason Crampton!!
The puzzle is available to play on The Times crossword club website (which is behind their paywall):
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[@benphelan88]

“Including the famous ‘ngultrum’” Absolutely deadpan.

[@watchmakerful]

Isn't this "above" clue from the Latin phrase "ab ovo" (literally "from the egg", i. e. from the very beginning) without the last letter?

[@CrackingTheCryptic]

Yes it is. Well done. Again my lack of a classical education lets me down :)

[@watchmakerful]

@@CrackingTheCryptic I even don't remember where I encountered this phrase...

[@leppyr64]

​@@CrackingTheCrypticShould pin this so it stays at the top.

[@longwaytotipperary]

Oh my - I looked it up - you’re right! Never heard of that! 🤔

[@longwaytotipperary]

@@CrackingTheCryptic your ability to solve these so quickly is amazing!!!

[@apiyo_puzzles]

I think the deal with testator is: "one in box in case" = "the one in the coffin during a court case", that is, in a court case such as a disputed estate settlement the deceased would be referred to by the legal term testator. My time in philanthropic trust management has finally paid dividends on the crossword scene :)

[@umchoyka]

I think it's simpler than that. You draw up a will "in case" you die. One in box would be the deceased

[@apiyo_puzzles]

Hmm I dont think so. That doesn't really line up with how definition elements work.

[@DJColdCutz_]

I sure hope the Novelist clue is “Hard Copy”. Maybe Hardy is the novelist and cop is the arresting incident. That would be my second ever clue solved by myself, and it’s only taken 24 episodes! Edit: I’m a genius!

[@limegreenelevator]

Well done! You're firmly on your way to being engulfed in the world of cryptics. It's a joy to be part of!

[@DrumsTheWord]

This is was also the first one I ever worked out before Simon as well. I was very proud of myself! :)

[@esotericVideos]

You're not a very good lumberjack? Oh come on, Simon. We all know that you're a lumberjack and you're ok.

[@orzelgryf]

I am proudly saying that after watching Simon I tried a crossword puzzle in my own language for the first time in my life - and I've got about half of the clues.

[@archivist17]

Well done. What language is that?

[@orzelgryf]

@@archivist17 polish

[@archivist17]

@@orzelgryf That must be a difficult language to compile or solve crosswords in!

[@orzelgryf]

@@archivist17 Well cryptic crosswords are totally different than in english. And of course I meant cryptic crossword, I solved some normal crosswords before 😅

[@Alex_Meadows]

Well done, Simon! On a related note, I was reading about The Listener crossword over the weekend, and it says that the current record-holder for the longest streak of correct solutions is one Simon Anthony, at 320. That's extraordinary.

[@johnciolfi5085]

This was an incredibly tricky puzzle. And boy, Simon's offhanded "I didn't study classical languages" was some brutal foreshadowing. I felt terrible watching him struggle with 6-Down (now, to be perfectly fair, the only reason I knew about the Latin phrase "ab ovo" is because it occasionally shows up in American crosswords, or sometimes just OVO). But if you've never heard the expression before, there's really no way you can glean it from the wordplay. Every once in a while, we'll all come across a puzzle where, even after we finish it, there's more a sense of frustration or bewilderment instead or joy or relief - it definitely seems like the former for Simon today (still, full marks for solving the puzzle despite all the hang-ups).

[@user-nb2hh6zn9w]

I found this really instructive to see how to approach a clue you can't do or can't explain. There are so many ways to reconsider it and I was really impressed with Simon's tenacity and different ways of thinking about it. This has given me more confidence to whittle away at a tricky clue rather than just giving up after an initial blank. It was just as valuable as having someone explain a quick solve.

[@emilywilliams3237]

I have watched all of these Masterclass videos, and I think that this one was the hardest puzzle in a video. That 'above' was particularly odd, but there were several other very challenging ones. I don't solve these at all, so they are all impossible for me, of course! Don't be too hard on your brain, Simon! I am beyond impressed!!

[@longwaytotipperary]

Ditto to all of that!

[@PotmosHetoimos]

I think this is the hardest puzzle of the masterclass series so far. Loads of incredibly difficult and mind-warping wordplay. I got a couple before Simon (including alphabetical) but others I would have never gotten in a million years!

[@spreekstem]

Love cryptic crossword-friday! Bought myself reading glasses yesterday and now I’m able to read the clues. Makes it even better. 😁

[@yummers2001]

I'm only 10 minutes in. Hoping 4 down is ALPHABETICAL. I don't get many of these clues so it's a delight when I do

[@limegreenelevator]

Great job!

[@steveamsp]

I'm a day late, but I got that one just listening to him... had to pause the video for a moment to count the squares, but yeah, VERY fun to get a Cryptic clue on the first reading that eludes Simon for a while.

[@bryanroland9402]

The Friday crossword video is always a treat. Not having the arcane knowledge needed to explain the "ab ovo" clue is entirely forgivable.

[@DevilboyScooby]

Lumberjack Simon...on Wednesdays do you go shopping, and have buttered scones for tea?

[@cjcalogero69]

Chuffed I got several answers before Simon for once! Hopes that I'm a teacher (re. singular and alphabetical) and French (re. "aphoriste" and "ouverture" = opening, giving me 6 down as "ab + ove(rture)" (as a piece of music).

[@je_suis_le_canard]

Overture is possible, but I was thinking "overt".

[@listey]

🎶 That's D in the corner. That's D in the spotlight. Losing its religion. 🎶

[@BigAsciiHappyStar]

I’m still waiting on the quadruple song (repeated letters don’t count)

[@archivist17]

Thanks for your dogged perseverance and dedication! Quite a toughie this week.

[@davidrattner9]

Wonderful way to end July!! Thank you constantly Simon for this video! You are an amazing teacher.

[@orosma868]

Favourite time of the week. I don't normally get to see this until much later but today I've got spare time to myself. An excellent way to spend a Friday afternoon! Thank you Simon and Mark for everything you do.

[@Emmibean77]

I adore these videos! Look forward to them every Friday!

[@JohnLeeShaw]

Absolutely brilliant! Thank you so much for doing this in such a complete and inspiring way! I really look forward to the next one 🙂 In the meantime, have a great weekend and all the best for next week!

[@janehewitt4157]

Thanks for another brilliant video - you are incredibly brave to do these live like this and show when you are struggling - I hope you know that this really helps us and certainly makes me feel better when I am finding clues difficult too!! Please don't stop making these videos - I am learning so much from you!

[@GordonjSmith1]

I don't mind your struggles Simon! These Friday 'cryptics' are wonderful.

[@MultiNacnud]

Well solved (as usual), a good mix of clues today. Some as easy as ABC and some well above my head.

[@altreusplays]

When a clue is so clever it brings tears to your eyes when you solve it. More so when you get it before Simon! 😂

[@arataya8706]

Simon, you know how you enjoy the comments, especially when they’re kind? I hope you remember to make your comments kind to yourself too. You are an amazing solver and an amazing person. And you can have bad solving days and frustrations without changing the truth of those statements. Be kind to my para-social friend Simon, Simon!

[@jonhansen9622]

Love these videos, even if I struggle mightily to solve the clues

[@kaiseremotion854]

Haven't finished the video yet, but perhaps the testator thing, could the "box" it is referring to be a coffin?

[@Anne_Mahoney]

Yes, that's what I was thinking.

[@TheFrogfather1]

Wow, a popcorn worthy crossword video! And Yay! I got 5 across straight away :)))

[@rockhopper_penguin]

Thanks once again Simon for a brilliant masterclass. That 6 Down was brutal. I did study Latin at school but had never heard of ab ovo.

[@arthurcharest9061]

Still a great solve, thanks Simon!

[@vinyl1Earthlink]

Interestingly, I saw at once some of the ones that baffled Simon (hard copy, aphorist), but he saw some of the ones I really struggled with (aforesaid). This gave me a different set of crossing letters, and a totally different solving experience. I have found that if you leave the ones with all the checkers that you can't get, when you come back in a few minutes they will be obvious. If you want to know the parsing of above, I suggest you check Times for the Times.

[@jamesmoriarty6782]

Well, I can barely solve the Guardian's Monday cryptic so i can't complain if Simon takes an hour over the week's hardest in The Times 😂. Great Video full of insight and hints. Thanks Simon.

[@jammenjammenz4965]

Simon, I thought that one across goats is a sports reference "Greatest Of All Time".

[@Anne_Mahoney]

I love this Friday ritual. And I felt very clever when I figured out SPOOR almost at once. OK, that makes *one* clue, but it's a start. Simon did brilliantly as always -- c'mon, man, don't beat yourself up for being slow! 😺

[@profregan6937]

Despite having travelled by train from Turin at 7.36 am to Bath via Paris and London the first thing i did after pouring myself a glass of good pop was to watch in awe , again. Marvellous.

[@davidotoole9328]

What a tense finish. I'd looked up ab ovo about 15mins before.

[@brenthoskisson6979]

6 down - From the beginning = Ab ovo (a musical term) Take the o off and add the e = ABOVE.

[@Phog273]

Looking forward to watching this shortly but I wonder: how many editions until this series is no longer a 'bonus' but promoted to a regular instalment! Always enjoy these, thank you

[@francesT5877]

Amazed i got some of these before Simon but I couldn’t finish this on my own. I figured out “ab ovo” but only after I had given up. I know it from the Antrobus stories by Lawrence Durrell. Recommend them. I really appreciate these they are fun to watch even when I can’t do them.

[@jhonnyrock]

The "opening that's inconclusive" might be referring to the ov from overt which means open, but I'm not sure

[@miriammartin175]

Watching this now from Ottawa, Canada's capital! :)

[@oldmoves]

Old Latin: AB = Opening an typically Ova = egg, but with out the “a” on the end makes it inconclusive ; there is an “e” on the end, last letter of White. QED

[@nelliekeating440]

I thought it was "ALONE" as in, you are alone in a superior position, and it is from the inconclusive opening of a story "A long time ago..."

[@DaShikuXI]

I bet whoever made this puzzle felt like a genius coming up with that football clue.

[@d4r4butler74]

Ok, no I didn't get the Above and why (well, the Why anyway) but the Comments section is wonderful again. But I got Alphabetical right off the start, Spoor was not instant, but I got it before Simon. Really felt for Simon with "short" being anagramed... and that Above...

[@michaelobille5447]

For testator, I was thinking just in case (in case) someone dies and is put in a coffin (one in box), there is a will for those they leave behind.

[@craftsmanwoodturner]

I think there is another meaning of testator, being someone who gives testimony. Hence the reference to the (witness) box in (a court) case.

[@bobh6728]

Will we ever get to see Maverick’s plane?

[@djcomidi]

for 6-down I was also thinking about "atone", equating the "superior position" with "at [position] one", but couldn't connect it with the "opening" clue.

[@robmcinroy480]

I had five I couldn't do in this, and they were the last five that Simon put in, so I feel slightly vindicated! I got singular but couldn't work out why. I actually worked it out just before Simon.

[@williambarnes3868]

Testator==witness in court. Aphorist= AP+ anagram. Ab OVO from latin for 'from the egg' meaning from the start or opening.

[@VonBlade]

5:14 Just interrupting to hope 4 down is Alphabetical. _edit_ 30:58 That's my Tuesday made and it's only 17 minutes past midnight.

[@davidotoole9328]

I biffed 8 down so just understanding it, really made me laugh.

[@michaelmatter1222]

I got the alphabetical answer almost immediately 🙂

[@plusjeremy]

At first I wanted “from opening” to be DA CAPO but that didn’t work. Fortunately when it came time, I remembered AB OVO from an earlier puzzle. I do think that those who excel at crosswords are those who excel at remembering random definitions and facts.

[@yadt]

Strangely, I found "singular" the easiest to solve, with no checking letters. Probably because it's one of the least cryptic of the clues! Also hard copy.

[@konchr86]

Singular is the only clue in the last years, that I found and couls explain before Simon. Possible the last one.

[@DaShikuXI]

Looking at this puzzle, I came up with a clue: "one of a kind lust and greed for rupee" (8) I wonder if this would be valid in a puzzle.

[@sebastienlecoq3956]

4 down, or how a child of 10 could have been faster that a world champ... (where does autumn come before summer, death before life, and a fool before a king) I loved those tricky definition that abused 'common knowledge', especially as I wondered if it was allowed, or considered bad manner. Can we get to know the snitch of this one.

[@danielnapoleoni]

Coming from the DA school I personally found this a bit too cheap to be rewarding, e.g. "body part" for foot from football (it's named after the body part), "mitre" for joint/cap (both named after the shape) ... Wondering what your thoughts are on this type of clue? Side note - i'm new to the channel, wondering if you're an Araucaria fan? Lots of absolutely fiendish puzzles in the back catalogue that would make for great content

[@pmclellan]

I have the Chambers dictionary on my phone, and if you look up ABOV? it gives just ABOVE and AB OVO. But apparently the one Simon has on his computer only has the first word.

[@michaelpdawson]

I thought the clue for SWINDLER was quite poor. The last four words of the clue didn't really do anything. I was pleased to get quite a few answers before Simon did, although I still could never have finished the whole puzzle on my own. This one did not require a lot of specifically British knowledge, which I often find a stumbling block.

[@rickdavis7944]

Ab ovo Latin for from opening or again, minus o inconclusive:-)

[@sebastienlecoq3956]

1 hour+ video. Let's get comfy

[@damdamdamdumdidum]

5:11 - Is the other exception the pope?

[@lundhlundh]

or the setter

[@TrekBeatTK]

I don’t do well on these but I was screaming ”alphabetical” immediately

[@charliejoseph6465]

why does 20d have the word "briefly" in it?

[@SomeRandomGuyOnYouTube]

Isn't the "box" in TESTATOR the coffin?

[@QIElf]

That was my reading too - a testator will be in a box (coffin) during the reading of the will (case).

[@kaiseremotion854]

ah rip! you beat me to it

[@Carpetf]

and the person checking the will would be an attestator

[@richardclegg8027]

Yes. This precisely. In the legal case of the settlement of the will the testator is in a box.

[@thezanycat]

Was the wordplay for KALEIDOSCOPE explained?

[@richardclegg8027]

It is not really wordplay just a cryptic definition. (I did not love that one.)

[@nightwishlover8913]

Got 17 down from the French (as did someone else) fairly easily, but 1 across was a real doozy...didn't like that one.

[@glum_hippo]

The Latin phrase "ab ovo" maybe?

[@glum_hippo]

I see someone's already mentioned this. The whole phrase, though, is 'ab ovo usque ad malam' which literally means "from eggs to apples", a modern version of which is 'soup to nuts', meaning "covering every detail of something"

[@michaelmarsh8237]

@@glum_hippo Apparently, "ab ovo" and "ab ovo usque ad malam" have different origins. The former (according to Wikipedia) relates to the birth of Helen from an egg laid by Leda.

[@Astervista]

This crossword is evil, more than the usual ones. My “classic” crossword mind kept coming up with the correct answers way before Simon but I kept telling myself they couldn’t be right because there was no wordplay or cryptic definition I could see, just a straight up direct definition. Very very naughty… I now question how are these direct definitions allowed, I would have thought they were not

[@SudokuConCarabet]

Is testator = “someone who testifies”?

[@maribelfarnsworth4565]

Your lack of Latin struck again!

[@vpr0]

I hope you don't mind if I don't agree that using a dictionary is cheating for me personally. I'm not a native speaker and I'm able to solve big portions of quick cryptics if I use everything I can. Too bad this is pretty much impossible in my language

[@bobstreet2491]

4d is possibly the easiest clue ever.

[@Raven-Creations]

I got 9A straight away. Spoor was easy, once I thought about what game trackers might use. I got aphorist from the checking letters before reading the clue, so parsing the clue was a doddle. The setter really got into your head on this one. When you had S, T, and O, why did you not consider that "short" also has those letters? You only have H and R to place. If it was Jason's puzzle, and he watched this, I bet he was laughing like a drain after your earlier conversation. I'd love to know if it is his, and his reaction to your solve. Please let us know in next Friday's crossword video if you find out. Football was a classy clue, as was goldfish bowl. Shipmates was a bit sneaky, but a nice clue - the question mark was certainly necessary. You really got fixated on smiths, even after working out you only had one I. You didn't seem to notice the question mark, which is usually an indicator of a questionable or quirky definition. Alphabetical was really nice misdirection, especially as the checking letters also hinted at an -ican ending which would fit nicely with a religious order. Narrow also was great misdirection. Singular was also a quality clue, sheep being both a singular and plural noun, but goats only being plural. It was fun use of the quirkiness of the English language. I got this as soon as the checking letters were in place. You'd have been better not thinking about the clue, and just finding a word to fit. Testator was brilliant, but cruelly fiendish. A to R for "every letter in answer" was hilarious word play. The definition of the legal term for someone in a coffin in an inheritance case was also wonderfully cryptic. I couldn't get the wordplay for above either. Some searching revealed "ab ovo" meaning from the beginning. I think anyone could be forgiven for not knowing that. Don't be too hard on yourself (not for that clue, at least). You can beat yourself up over not getting some of the other clues, but you were completely in the setter's thrall. There is indeed a mitre joint. It's the sort you get on picture frames.

[@MoraleBattalion]

I was sure that it was "afore": from opening (F, the opening of "from"), a word for inclusiveness (or), and e as the final letter of white

[@kurohone]

I can't help but wonder sometimes if the self-flaggelation that Simon puts himself through drives away more people from cryptics than they want to attract. The point of playing a game is to enjoy yourself; Simon puts such absurdly strict restrictions on himself that casual players think they're somehow 'doing it wrong'.

[@erickehr4475]

It’s infuriating when you don’t follow your own advice. 15 down ends with a question mark. And as you keep saying, everything in a clue is there for a reason. If you’d asked yourself why that was there, you’d have realised it was a “tricky” definition and got it straight away.