NSA Acrostic Puzzles
Two puzzles from a 1977 issue of Cryptolog.
Comments
Oskar Sigvardsson • April 4, 2013 7:58 AM
Well, A is clearly “Catherine”, and I’m guessing L is “ofAragon”, because neither “Anne”, “Jane”, “Boyleyn”, “Seymour”, “Cleves”, “Howard” or “Parr”.
At some point, I apparently memorized all of Henry VIII’s wives. I’m not entirely clear how that happened.
Oskar Sigvardsson • April 4, 2013 7:58 AM
None of those words fit, is what I meant to say.
Kaithe • April 4, 2013 8:03 AM
Grrr… can’t open the puzzles page…
“Content Not Available in Australia”
“We’re sorry, but due to circumstances surrounding copyright and permissions, we’re unable to bring you this particular content item.”
Kaithe • April 4, 2013 8:05 AM
…and I made the mistake of placing diamond brackets around the final line of my post… should have closed with:
{insert standard regionalised copyright rant here}
Oskar Sigvardsson • April 4, 2013 8:14 AM
Kaithe: You can find the first crossword in this issue of the magazine (direct link to the NSA’s website): http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/cryptologs/cryptolog_34.pdf
And this is the issue with the second crossword: http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/cryptologs/cryptolog_44.pdf
Steve Friedl • April 4, 2013 9:52 AM
I think it’s fascinating that even after all these years, they still needed to redact all those little squares in the last part of the puzzle.
Emma Bull • April 4, 2013 10:42 AM
It’s…it’s…a FANZINE!
Ian • April 4, 2013 1:12 PM
Sorry to be a puzzle snob, but these are not crossword puzzles, they are acrostics.
To solve them, first try to guess as many of the words as you can based on the clues. Next transfer the letters into the numbered squares. Word recognition and frequency analysis should allow you to solve some of the words in the grid. Transfer these letters back to the grid as clues for guessing more words.
Lather, rinse, repeat until the puzzles are solved.
Figureitout • April 4, 2013 11:14 PM
Lol, “top secret” crossed out. “Declassified” puzzles. “Can You Crack The NSA’s Top-Secret Crossword Puzzles?” Christ, get some self-respect…
Figureitout • April 4, 2013 11:22 PM
Oh, I got a word for the 4-letter “O. Flaccid” hint; d-i-c-k.
Figureitout • April 5, 2013 12:52 AM
Ok, so the first random page I click on the “Cryptolog”, I get half a document of redacted wasting fck. So the NSA releases documents that are mostly redacted, what’s the fcking point?! Then I get some freaky art at the end that’s going to give me a nightmare…Sweet!
Aaron • April 5, 2013 11:31 AM
Hah! Crostic #16 clue C reminds me of the P.D.Q. Bach song that turned that joke into an aria.
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Sidebar photo of Bruce Schneier by Joe MacInnis.
Clive Robinson • April 4, 2013 7:33 AM
Hmm,
Cross words from the Never Say Anything organisation, what could have cause such an outburst 😉