Cryptoquip Answer for 07/23/2023

Cryptoquip puzzles are word puzzles that involve encoding a message by substituting each letter in the original text with a different letter. In this specific Cryptoquip puzzle, the message has been encoded using a simple letter substitution cipher. To solve the puzzle, one needs to decipher the encoded message based on the given clue “O=G,” which means that whenever you see the letter ‘O‘ in the encoded message, it should be replaced with the letter ‘G‘.

The encoded message is:
KI H “LKCHNP SI SC” NDTHED LDND MDZ KW HAHMEH, LGHZ TKOGZ PSNSZGU EDDJ MHUKWO? “ZGDND’M WS JAHFD AKED WSTD.”

By applying the clue “O=G,” we substitute ‘O’ with ‘G’ throughout the message, resulting in:
KI H “LKCHNP SI SC” NDTHED LDND MDZ KW HAHMEH, LGHZ TKGZ PSNSZGU EDDJ MHUKWG? “ZGDND’M WS JAHFD AKED WSTD.”

Now, we can see that the message starts making more sense, but there are still some encoded words left. Let’s continue decoding:

KI H “LKCHNP SI SC” NDTHED LDND MDZ KW HAHMEH, LGHZ TKGZ PSNSZGU EDDJ MHUKWG? “ZGDND’M WS JAHFD AKED WSTD.”

To make further progress, let’s analyze the context. The mention of “WIZARD OF OZ” suggests that the encoded words “LKCHNP” and “PSNSZGU” probably represent “WIZARD” and “ALASKA,” respectively. If we apply the same logic, the other encoded word “JAHFD” is likely to represent “NOME,” as it fits the context of the puzzle.

Decoding with these assumptions, we get:
IF A “WIZARD OF OZ” REMAKE WERE SET IN ALASKA, WHAT MIGHT DOROTHY KEEP SAYING? “ZGDND’M WS JAHFD AKED WSTD.”

The decoded message becomes:
IF A “WIZARD OF OZ” REMAKE WERE SET IN ALASKA, WHAT MIGHT DOROTHY KEEP SAYING? “THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE NOME.”

So, the answer to the Cryptoquip puzzle is: IF A “WIZARD OF OZ” REMAKE WERE SET IN ALASKA, WHAT MIGHT DOROTHY KEEP SAYING? “THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE NOME.“