Posted on 03/11/2019 2:48:31 AM PDT by nikos1121
Today’s Cryptogram
UM LPGU UAZY UM ZIM, EHY LPGU PGY UAZY UM CZS EM. UVTTVZC NAZLMNWMZIM
You can find this little fun word game, to combat early dementia and senility in us baby boomers, in several daily publications, unfortunately they are copyrighted so we can't use them here. So, we're just going to make up our own. The way it works is a letter stands for another letter. For example: AXYDLBAAXR is LONGFELLOW (does not apply to today's cryptogram). Beware, the game is very addictive. If this is your first time, don't be intimidated.
PLEASE DO NOT post the answer in general comments, but DO post your time and any tips you might give the group on how you solve these puzzles. Puzzle solvers love to hear if you found the CG challenging or easy.
You can certainly send your solution to my private reply, or if you need a hint for today’s Cryptogram.
Solving the puzzle under 8 minutes is good, under 6 very good, under 4 excellent and under two "you're a pro!"
Those of you looking for an added challenge can try to solve one sentence or even one word at a time, i.e. solve the entire first line, then go to the second line etc.
If you need a little help you can copy the cryptogram and paste it to Hal’s Helper below:
You can then work on the puzzle without using pen and paper.
Solution to our last puzzle:
IF A MAN CAN CONTROL HIS MIND HE CAN FIND THE WAY TO ENLIGHTENMENT, AND ALL WISDOM AND VIRTURE WILL NATURALLY COME TO HIM. BUDDHA
Well, that took 5 or 6 minutes because I diddled around with the small words instead of staring at the name. Once I figured out the name (which was kind of a forehead-slapping “Duh! moment) I was okay.
Still a good job. I try to give a clue with the conjunction following the comma. It gives you 3 letters, and that might jump start things.
You’re doing great, esp when you consider you wanted throw in the towel at the beginning! :=)
The shorter quotes are the hardest....
And yes, one needs to keep their eye out for that author who comes up at least once per month....
Got there after a series of “try a bit, go away”, “try a bit...” rinse & repeat.
The first word of the cryptogram, when solved, was the point of entry. I thought the author’s name was never coming but the ending of the first name gave the clue.
I'm balancing my solution approach between common words/letters (”e” and “t” are the most common letters; “the,” “are,” “to,” “of,” “that,” “what,” etc. are some of the most common words) and sentence structure (i.e.: a 3-letter word after a comma is almost always “and” or “but; two three letter words in a row are often “are the” etc.)
Started late but believe I have it:
Begin time: 1028
End time: 1030
Solution sent via private message.
Took me forever. I kept focusing on the phrase. When I focused on the author, it all fell into place.
WOW......Guessed correctly on first name at FIRST mini-glance and took me much longer to ‘fat finger’ hal while I was ‘reading’ it to myself.
With me that is the key.....If successful on first one or two ‘guesses’ fine, if not, I seem to hit a road block and can’t get started (Which hasn’t happened for about a week now)
The name clicked for me - under a minute... first time for a while my time was worth mentioning on here.
-PJ
I went round and round for 20 minutes trying to start with the short words....then took a guess at the author and was done in seconds.
Good job. Getting the author right out of the gate, takes you right to the Kentucky Derby coming around the final turn.
Yeah, but like I said, pretty much after the race was over twenty minutes earlier. LOL
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