Cryptograms: Puzzles for Your Mind

When I was young, my dad found a way to trick me into training my brain. He introduced me to cryptograms. He would offer me one dollar for every cryptogram that I solved correctly. To his utmost surprise, I was very good at solving them. Before he knew what hit him, I had quickly earned a nice pile of money. Fast forward many years, and I am still solving cryptograms, but don’t worry, I don’t do it for any money. I do it for the fun.

What is a cryptogram?

A cryptogram is a brain puzzle in which there is a famous quote, but every letter is replaced by a different letter. For example, every “a” may be replaced with a “g.” As the cryptogram solver, it is one’s job to decipher the quote by figuring out what the real letters are.

Why should I solve a cryptogram?

Cryptograms are fun to solve. They are also a great way to exercise one’s brain. If you want to keep your brain sharp, a cryptogram is a great alternative to solving crossword puzzles.

Where do the quotes come from?

The quotes come from famous people in pop culture, such as Wody Allen, Thomas Jefferson, John Kerry, Stevie Wonder, Lucille Ball, Andrew Carnegie, Nick Arnette, Robert Frost, and Miss Piggy. The quotes are often witty and insightful at the same time.

Where can I find a cryptogram to solve?

Cryptograms are frequently in the newspapers, usually on the same page as the crossword puzzle. There are also cryptogram books. I recommend a book called Classic Cryptograms. I found it in the local Barnes and Noble book store, and it was only about five dollars. In this book, there are 600 different cryptograms. If any are too difficult, every cryptogram has an optional hint. The solutions to the cryptograms can be found in the back of the book.

Could you please give an example of a cryptogram?

Here is an example. Try to solve it if you can. It may be hard at first, but you will get the hang of it.

JR K ZJMFDZ DR DCCDQEGMJEX KCCWKQB, FDM’E CGYY FDZM ELW

BLKFW.

– EDV CWEWQB

I think I solved it, or its way too hard. Can I see the solution please?

He is what the solution would be.

If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.

– Tom Peters

Can you give some tips or tricks?

If you see a one-letter-word, you know that letter must either be an “a” or an “i.”

If you see a word that has an apostrophe in it, there are only a few letters that can come after the apostrophe, such as “s” or “t.”

“That” is often a good word to identify near the beginning of a cryptogram. Very few four-letter-words begin and end with the same letter. More often than not, if you see this pattern, the word will be “that.”