The Past Master Club

SOLVING CRYPTOGRAMS

  1. It is easy to locate the word "THAT"; sometimes mistaken for "EASE or EDGE ELSE or SAIS or HIGH"; but when accompanied by "THE or T[O] or WITH / BOTH / MOTH" it is unmistakeable.
  2. It is also easy to locate unique words like: "PEOPLE / PROPER / ALWAYS / LITTLE / MIDDLE / GEORGE / WASHINGTON / NEVER / EVERY / AGAIN / SUCCEED / SUCCESSFULL / O'CLOCK / HAPPINESS / HAWAII / THEMSELVES / WITHOUT / USUALLY / ADDRESS / COFFEE / PURPLE / INITIATION / EVERYBODY / BECAUSE / BEGINNING / ALLIGATOR / COMMITTEE / COMMISSION / DIFFICULT / IMPOSSIBLE / OFFICE / GINGIVITIS / GIRAFFE /POSSESSING / GALLANTRY / OTTAWA / TORONTO / CANADA / KIWI / DODO / UNUSUAL" etc.
  3. Next comes the apostrophed crypts, such as, "S' or 'S / 'T / 'D / 'M or WE'VE / YOU'VE / YOU'RE / WE'RE or HE'S or I'M or ISN'T" etc.
  4. Difficult words are "COLOR or NEVER or TIMID"; although I always use "NEVER or EVER" to start my 'E's. Letters like "I / O / E" are well balanced in their own sentences.
    Also included are "EGG / ALL / ILL / OFF / TOO / SEE / XII" etc.
  5. Simple words, such as, "THE / THEM / THEIR / THEY / THEY'LL / THING / THINK" compete with words, such as,"YOU / YOUR / YOURS / YOU'LL" etc. and need extra identifiers, such as, "TO / BOTH / WITH / WITHOUT / WILL / THOUGH / COULD / WOULD / SHOULD / YOUNG / FROM / FOR / ONLY" etc.
  6. Repeated endings are important; such as, "ING / IN / TION / ON / ABLE / TANT / LESS / NESS / LY / LLY / TY / FUL / FULLY / TIAL / FOR / OR" etc.
    Note: "IN" can also be found at the beginning of words!
  7. The lone "A / I".
  8. Questions such as: "Am I / Did I / Why did / Whose / What ?".
  9. Words like ", AND / , BUT / , THE / , FOR / EVEN | RARE | POPE | EYES" etc. give little help!
    1. "E" is usually found at the beginnnig of a word or 2nd last or anywhere in a word with repetition.
    2. "I" is usually found at the beginnnig of a word or 3rd last or anywhere in a word with repetition - much like "E".
      "I" is usually not found at the end of a word.
    3. "S / R / D" is usually found at the end of a word or 3rd last.
    4. "Y" is usually found at the end of a word or at the beginning.
    5. "HAVE / SIGN" are usually found in difficult cryptograms.
  10. For dificult cryptograms one must use letter frequencies:
     1% = X / J / Q / K / Z
     2% = V
     3% = B / F / G / M / P / W / Y
     4% = C / U
     5% = D / L
     6% = H
     7% = R
     8% = I / N / S
     9% = A / O
    11% = T
    12% = E
If you can remember all that you can solve most of the cryptograms in DELL or any DAILY NEWSPAPER!
- EXAMPLES OF CRYPTOGRAMS -
  1. CODE:

    ZNK UTRE XKGYUT NOYZUXE XKVKGZY OZYKRL OY ZNGZ
    OZ'Y YOSVRKX ZU JU ZNK YGSK SOYZGQKY UBKX GMGOT.


    Using:
    "ZNK" = "the" (repeated) and "ZNGZ OZ'Y" = "that it's" and "ZU" = "to"

    Giving the following partial solution:
    the oTRE XeasoT histoXE XeVeats itseRL is that
    it's siSVReX to Jo the YaSe SistaQes oBeX aMaiT.


    Now you need only to deduce: ( bcdfjklmpquvwxz )
    "REASON and HISTORY and AGAIN"
    and the code is nearly solved!

  2. CODE:

    WSQI TISTPI QYWX PIEVR XIEX E QIIXMRK SJ QMRHW MW E
    AEC SJ XETTMRK MHIEW EW AIPP EW PIZIPMRK SJJ SJ
    QMWGSRKVYMXMIW.


    Using:
    "TISTPI" = "people" and "SJJ SJ" = "off of" and "XIEX E" = "that a" and "MRK" = "ing" (repeated)

    Giving the following partial solution:
    WoQe people QYWt leaVn that a Qeeting of QinHW iW a
    AaC of tapping iHeaW aW Aell aW leZeling off of
    QiWGongVYitieW.


    Now you need only to deduce: ( bcdjkqrvxyz )
    "AS WELL AS and SOME and MUST and WELL and WAY"
    and the code is nearly solved!

  3. CODE:

    HCROM'G ONIFS GYM WG TIZZ OT GSOUIZZG
    KWHV QZCIRG OFCIBR HVSA, UZWRWBU.


    Using:
    "'G" = "'s/'t/'d/'m" and "HV" = "th" (repeated) and "CI" = "ou" (repeated) and "ZZ" = "ll"

    Giving the following partial solution:
    toROM's ONuFS sYM Ws full of sSOulls
    with QlouRs OFouBR thSA, UlWRWBU.


    Now you need only to deduce: ( begjmnpqrvxz )
    "TODAY and CLOUDS and SKY"
    the code has been be solved!

  4. CODE:

    WT MCI VOJS AOBOUSR HC ZWJS KWHVWB MCIF WBQCAS
    MCI AIGH VOJS FSQSWJSR MCIF WBVSFWHOBQS.


    Using:
    "MCI" = "you/the" (repeated) and "KWHVWB" = "within" and "WB" = "th/in"

    Giving the following partial solution:
    if you VOJS mOnOUSR to ZiJS within your inQomS
    you must VOJS rSQSiJSR your inVSriHOnQS.


    Now you need only to deduce: ( abdgjkpqsxz )
    "INCOME and LIVE"
    the code has been solved!

  5. CODE:

    WKRVH ZKR DWWDLQ ILQDQFLDO VHFXULWB XVXDOOB
    UHFHLYHG WKHLU LQKHULWDQFH, HDUOB.


    Using:
    "XVXDOOB" = "usually" and "DWWDLQ" = "attain" and "WK" = "th/in"

    Giving the following partial solution:
    those who attain IinanFial seFurity usually
    reFHiYeG their inheritaQFe, early.


    Now you need only to deduce: ( bdgjkmpqvxz )
    "SECURITY and FINANCIAL"
    the code has been solved!

  6. CODE:

    DOLU DL HYLU'A HMYHPK DL ZHF DL'YL UVYTHS, IBA
    DOLU VAOLYZ HYLU'A HMYHPK, DL ZHF AOLF OHCLU'R
    AHZALK SPML.


    Using:
    "DL'YL" = "we're/we've" and "'A" = "'s/t/d/m" and ", IBA" = ",and / ,but"

    Giving the following partial solution:
    wOeU we HreU't HMvHPK we ZHF we're UVrTHS, but
    wOeU VtOerZ HreU't HMrHPK, we ZHF tOeF OHCeU'R
    tHZteK SPMe.


    Now you need only to deduce: ( cdfgijklmpqxyz )
    "WHEN and AREN'T and OTHERS"
    the code has been solved!

  7. CODE:

    EMUZ SVNWJKALQ AFLUGVMUWK SF AFVANAVMSD LG
    ZAEKWDX.


    Using:
    "AF" = "in/th" (repeated); and "A" = "i" is popular and 3rd last; and "W" = "e" is popular and 2nd last

    Giving the following partial solution:
    EMUZ SVNeJKiLQ inLUGVMUeK Sn inViNiVMSD LG
    ZiEKeDX.


    Now you need only to deduce: ( bfghjkmpqwxyz )
    "AN INDIVIDUAL TO and INTRODUCES"
    and the code is nearly solved!

  8. CODE:

    Z IBBX DOBG VBZGV FB TBIILQBBC WH W PZHHZBG KSTZGC SGSPL IZGSH.
    LBD OWJWETDFS ZG, HSF DO FTS SUOIBHZBG,
    FTSG AIL BDF KSABJS ZF VBSH BAA. (JBKSJF JSCABJC)

    Long codes are easier to solve than short ones!


    Using:
    "BB" = 'ee/oo' & then "BAA" = 'egg/off' & "SGSPL" = 'every'
    "VBZGV" = 'going' & "FTS" is repeated for 'the/you'.
    With "JBKSJF" as 'robert' for a name turns
    "KSABJS" into '-e-ore/before' & "SGSPL" into 'enemy'??
    Now "Z"='a/i=i' & "W"='i/a=a' "FTSG"='then' TRUE!

    Giving the following partial solution:
    i IooX DOon going to hoIILQooC aH a PiHHion behinC enePL IineH.
    LoD OaraEhDte in, Het DO the eUOIoHion,
    then fIL oDt before it goeH off. (robert reCforC)


    Now you need only to deduce: ( cjkqvwxz )
    "BEHIND ENEMY LINES & OUT & UPON"
    and the code is nearly solved!

  9. CODE:

    KLXW LHC HPNCMLRB WLY NCYYCT'Y CIXCMLPM,
    XWC PTS HUEXULR KUY CIECMLCRHLRB U WUMS YWLE.


    Using:
    "'Y" = 's/t/d/m' (usually 's') & "U" = 'a/i'
    & "C" appears to be an 'e' & "LRB" is repeated for 'ing/ion'.
    With "XWC" = 'the' turns "KLXW" = 'with'
    & "L"='i' & "U"='a' "KUY"='was' TRUE!

    Giving the following partial solution:
    with iHe HPNeMing his NeseT's eIteMiPM,
    the PTS HaEtain was eIEeMienHing a haMS shiE.


    Now you need only to deduce: ( bdfjkmquyz )
    "CAPTAIN & EXPERIENCING & V & L & O"
    and the code is nearly solved!

  10. CODE: (not difficult because of 3rd last letters 'Y=i?'[repeated 5x] &
    2nd last letters 'I=e[repeated 4x]/n/t?') & a 2nd letter 'I=e?'


    PEWA OILKYGYAT YZ CLAZIR ZW BIYGI ZSI RLF, L VOIBSCLZIO
    VYBS EOWDEZKF TWZ PE LAR UOYIR "ULOE RYID!".


    Using:
    "L" = 'a / i' ('RLF' => a) & "YAT" = 'ing/ion' & "LAR" = 'and/any/ion/ink' & "I" = 'e'

    Giving the following partial solution:
    PEWn/o OeaKiGing iZ Can/oZed ZW BeiGe ZSe day, a VOeBSCaZeO
    ViBS EOWDEZKF g/nWZ PE and UOied "UaOE dieD".


    Now using:
    "g/nWZ" => 'g/not' & "ZSe day, a" => 'the day, a' & "ZW" = 'to'

    Giving the following partial solution:
    PEon OeaKiGing it Canted to BeiGe the day, a VOeBhCateO
    Vis/ch EOoDEtKy got PE and UOied "UaOE dies/m".


    And now using:
    "Canted" => 'wanted' & "UOied" => 'cried' & "dies/m" => 'diem' &
    "VOes/chwateO" = 'Vreshwater' & "V" = 'f' & "K" = 'l'

    Giving the following partial solution:
    PEon realiGing it wanted to seiGe the day, a freshwater
    fish EromEtly got PE and cried "carE diem".


    Now you need only to deduce: ( bjkpquvxz )
    "UP & REALIZING"
    and the code is solved!
    Hard because "Y" could have been misstaken for an 'e/t'!

  11. DIFFICULT CODE: (few 'E's or 'O's or 'I's)

    QE TDWHIAOWIBO JT CNKCET YXQRJZM DW
    ACHI XR GJT YXSMQBZD KJDG QE NCTD SWNNCO.


    Not using:
    "GJT" = 'for / or | has / as | the / he'


    Using:
    "CNKCET" = 'always' & "NCTS" = 'last' - The only clues!

    Giving the following partial solution:
    my stoHIAOoIeO is always YXmRiZM to
    AaHI XR his YXSMmeZt with my last SollaO.


    Now you need only to deduce: ( bfjpquvxz )
    "ING & MENT & DOLLAR & CK"
    and the code is nearly solved!

  12. VERY DIFFICULT CODE: (all N / C / T / Z repeated in a word =e / s / a / i / t / d)

    TZECBXTCZB YKOCFV XJIRBNO TZIQFNCNJ
    TZEOCBKTCRZE QBZYNTC.


    Using:
    Sooner or later diehards will get this:
    "N" = 'e'(2nd last/repeated) & "RZE" = 'ion'

    Giving the following partial solution:
    TontBXTtoB YKOtFV XJIiBeO ToIQFeteJ
    T
    onOtBKTtion QBoYeTt.


    Now you need to deduce:
    'toB_' = tor / '_TontB' = contr / 'eTt_' = ect / 'eO_' = es / 'eJ_' = ed
    and the code is nearing a solution!


    Giving the following partial solution: ( bfghjklpqvwxyz )
    contractor YustFV adIires coIQFeted
    construction QroYect.

  13. UNUSUAL DIFFICULT CODE: (all U / X / C / P repeated in a word = e / s / a / i / t / d)

    "ANMX, SMCDG LBW (UBUP KNLD UCRA BB) PGPMDCA MPTG CDX
    WCI UPMUPGRCA ABSLG TLBDP RUND LBW."
    - HCMXBDCA PXRCMPN W. TNWCAN.


    Using:
    Sooner or later diehards will get this:
    "P" = 'e'(1nd & last/repeated) & "UBUP" = 'pope'(2nd last/repeAted) & "XDC" = 'and'

    Giving the following partial solution:
    "AoMd, SManG LBW (pope KoLn paRA BB) eGeMnaA MeTG and
    WaI peMpeGRaA ABSLG TLBne Rpon LBW."
    - HaMdBnaA edRaMdo W. ToWaAo.


    Now you need to deduce:
    '(pope KoLn paGA BB)' = pope john paul II / 'edGaMdo' = eduardo / 'Gpon' = upon
    and the code is nearing a solution!


    Giving the following partial solution: ( bcfgkmqstvwxyz )
    "lord, SranG hiW (pope john paul II) eGernal reTG and
    WaI perpeRual liShG Thine upon hiW."
    - Hardinal eduardo W. ToWalo.


    I leave it to you to solve it! I leave it to you to solve it! I leave it to you to solve it!

NOTE:
  1. You have to be a natural to solve the more difficult cryptograms.
    I usually throw the more difficult crypts away,
    because I am only looking forward to the entertainment side of crypt solving.
  2. Sentences like the following are meant for the typist and has no meaning in crypt solving:
    "The lazy brown cow jumped high over the moon and a quick silver fox"
    "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
  3. Hopefuly I've catapulted you into the game of crypt solving!


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