A cryptogram is a phrase or
quote that has been encrypted by simple letter substitution. The phrase 'This
is a cryptogram' might turn into the encrypted phrase:'FKDR DR U
BAZOFMIAUC'
In this cryptogram you can see that throughout the phrase
the letter 'T' has been replaced by the letter 'F', the letter 'A' has been
substituted with 'U', and so on.
One important rule - a letter can never
be substituted with itself.
You solve the cryptogram with a trial and
error process, guessing the letters that have been replaced. After you work on
cryptograms for a while you learn to see patterns of common words - practice
makes perfect!
Here are a few tips to get you going:
The only
(well...by far the most common) single letter words are 'A' and
'I'. Look for common letter combinations, like 'QU', 'TH' &
'SH'. The words 'THE & ARE are the most common three letter
words. Watch for the pattern XCBX. This is usually the word
'THAT'. All words have at least one vowel (except 'WHY &
'RHYTHM').
Have fun and good luck in solving the Cryptogram!
ZDQ
PYUY
SDUC
HW
HC .
DUKOKCHV.
NDC'A
NKY
HW
H
FDRZ