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In this cryptogram you can see that throughout the phrase the letter 'T' has been replaced by the letter 'F', the letter 'A' has been substituted with 'U', and so on.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!

CRYPTOGRAM OF JANUARY 2003 L AJTD'H GWPNF JH BWN ZDLHCPDE JB ZWBDR WP NJZD. JN JH ZDLHCPDE OR NFD LZWCBN WT AWKD DQXFLBUDE. And here is your hint: W=O

CRYPTOGRAM OF FEBRUARY 2003 YFO MAE FOI MAAV TAADY JIAU FOI JKEFOI - FO SY K ZTKYESX YLIMOAW. And here is your hint: W=N

CRYPTOGRAM OF MARCH 2003 LT    RZMXZN    OGAW    LW    IDS    LZVXQI    XZ    HDAW   , FKX    JQWV    D    MZKHRV'X    EGT    XQW    FDHH    QW    OGAW    LW    IDS    LZVXQI    LZNW.    And here is your hint: O=G

CRYPTOGRAM OF APRIL 2003 FPC    LPJ'X    CJLNHYXDJL    DJFXTAJS    CJXAQ    FPC    QNDHJ    AX    RPHN    XTDJ    PJN    VDF. And here is your hint: R=M