Today's Cryptogram

6/18/2019 | Nikos1121

[nikos1121]

Today’s Cryptogram

LERPR HNM VRJRP N LGUR HERV, GV UD XYGVGXV, MXUR HND WXKTA VXL OR IXKVA LX YPRJRVL LER APNHGVB XI LER MHXPA. ---K.M. BPNVL

Today’s CG is courtesy of the Arkansas Gazette.

You can find this little fun word game, to combat early dementia and senility in us baby boomers, in several daily publications.

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 as puzzle solvers love to hear how you made out.

You can certainly send your solution to my private reply, or if you need a hint for today’s Cryptogram.

[nikos1121]

If you're just starting out on these, be patient, as you'll be proficient in no time.

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.

HAL'S CRYPTOGRAM HELPER

Solution to our last puzzle:

NEVER BE AFRAID TO TRY ANYTHING NEW. REMEMBER, AMATEURS BUILT THE ARK, PROFESSIONALS BUILT THE TITANIC. --SOURCE UNKNOWN

[nikos1121]

PLEASE JOIN OUR FUN AND LIVELY PING LIST AND REGENERATE SOME NEW BRAIN CELLS (currently at 77. )

[Peter ODonnell]

about 20 mins, the one and two letter words make for steady progress, and you can expect “the” to show up somewhere.

nothing is inevitable, granted.

[Yossarian]

2:28. Between the single letter word and the first word, it was pretty easy.

[Yossarian]

BTW, I'm getting faster by quickly identifying:

1. Single letter words. It's going to be 'A' or 'I'.
   To decide, I scan the three letter words. If any start with the stand-in for 'I', I go with 'A' for sure. If the majority of the second letter is the stand-in for 'A', I go with 'A';
2. ABC'D: 90% of the time C='N' and D = 'T';
3. "THE" / "THEM" / "THEN" / "THEY" / "THERE" / "THESE";
4. "YOU" / "YOUR" / "YOU'LL" / "YOU'VE" / "YOU'RE";
5. How to differentiate between scrambled "THE" and "YOU"?
   Look at any two letter words, and see if the stand-in for 'Y' or 'U' or 'E' are in the first letter, or if the stand-in for 'H' or 'U' are in the second letter. These are rejection criteria;
6. Once you find "THE*" / "THE**" , it's easy to spot "WHEN" / WHY" / "WHO" / "WHOM" / "WHERE"
7. "EVER" / "EVEN" / "NEVER";
8. Author names to look for:
   • "ALBERT EINSTEIN",
   • "RONALD REAGAN",
     "WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE",
   • "ABRAHAM LINCOLN",
   • "(any) ROOSEVELT",
   • "PLATO",
   • "CICERO",
   • "ARISTOTLE", etc.;

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

3:30.96

Pretty straightforward.

[nikos1121]

you’ve become an animal on these!

[nikos1121]

great tips!!!!

[nikos1121]

I look for common words like “PEOPLE” and “ALWAYS” frequently found at the beginning of the quotation.

[xrmusn]

Interesting quote.

Is that what he instilled in Sherman?

[Magnum44]

60 secs. 😀

[grey_whiskers]

3 min. Woulda coulda shoulda found it a bit easier.

[Political Junkie Too]

Two minutes. Finding the common three-letter word gets the first and third words, and the rest flows from there.

-PJ

[Political Junkie Too]

How to differentiate between scrambled "THE" and "YOU"?

For "the:"

The simplest way is to know that "e" and "t" are the two most commonly used letters, in order. Look for words where the first and third letters are high count, and the middle letter is low count.

Then know that "a" is the third most used letter, and "h" and "r" are right next to each other in usage order, so "the" and "are" can often fit the same pattern. You will have to determine which based on context.

You can eliminate potential "the" words if the "e" shows up in the beginning of two-letter words where the "a" would be. "e" can be in the second letter, but those are less used words (be, he, me, we).

-PJ

[gundog]

Four ABA sequences. Yikes!! I was reading this one as I transcribed the first 5 words.

[freedom1st]

1 and 1/2 min. Recognized first word pattern and then it was fill in the blanks.

[Ingtar]

I guessed correctly on one of the three letter words, and it fell into place as fast as I could plug in letters.

[A_perfect_lady]

That was a fast one. Lots of familiar patterns!

[Grammy]

Thanks! This was a quick for me!

[null and void]

2:45!