• GCHQ Monday Puzzle

    From David Entwistle@qnivq.ragjvfgyr@ogvagrearg.pbz to rec.puzzles on Mon Apr 6 10:58:03 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.puzzles

    Understandably GCHQ haven't published a Monday puzzle for a few weeks.
    Here is one from their Book I.

    36. Explain

    If 355 equates to 524, and 1235 to 2521, what does 850 equate to?
    --
    David Entwistle
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  • From David Entwistle@qnivq.ragjvfgyr@ogvagrearg.pbz to rec.puzzles on Tue Apr 7 08:45:47 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.puzzles

    On Mon, 6 Apr 2026 10:58:03 -0000 (UTC), David Entwistle wrote:

    36. Explain

    If 355 equates to 524, and 1235 to 2521, what does 850 equate to?

    Solution:

    1029. Guerr svsgl-svir rdhngrf gb svir-gb-sbhe, gjryir guvegl-svir rdhngrf
    gb gjragl-svir gb bar rgp.
    --
    David Entwistle
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  • From HenHanna@NewsGrouper@user4055@newsgrouper.org.invalid to rec.puzzles,rec.games.trivia,sci.lang,alt.usage.english on Thu Apr 9 16:39:50 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.puzzles



    David Entwistle <qnivq.ragjvfgyr@ogvagrearg.pbz> posted:

    Understandably GCHQ haven't published a Monday puzzle for a few weeks.
    Here is one from their Book I.

    36. Explain

    If 355 equates to 524, and 1235 to 2521, what does 850 equate to?



    Understandably GCHQ haven't published a Monday puzzle for a few weeks.

    ------------ Understandably ??? (I dn't understand it)



    __________________________SLUSH ------- (UK vs US English)

    Yes, **slush** has slightly different nuances in UK English. In Britain, the word most strongly refers to **dirty, muddy melting snow**rCothe grey, sludgy stuff you step in on wet winter pavements and roads. This gritty, unpleasant quality is more emphasized in British usage.

    In the US, "slush" is more commonly associated with **frozen sweet drinks** (like cherry slush slushies). While Brits understand this meaning, they're more likely to call it a "slushie" or specify the drink type. In the UK, plain "slush" more naturally brings to mind road snow rather than beverages.

    Both varieties share the meaning of "sloppily sentimental language or writing" (e.g., "That film was full of slush"). Both also use "slush fund" for secret money. The nautical meaning (waste fat from a ship's galley) exists in both but is rare now. The main difference is simply which image comes to mind first: muddy road snow in the UK, frozen drinks in the US.

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  • From David Entwistle@qnivq.ragjvfgyr@ogvagrearg.pbz to rec.puzzles on Thu Apr 9 17:27:46 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.puzzles

    On Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:39:50 GMT, HenHanna@NewsGrouper wrote:

    Understandably GCHQ haven't published a Monday puzzle for a few weeks.

    ------------ Understandably ??? (I dn't understand it)

    Monday 6th April, 2026, was Easter Monday, a public holiday in the UK, excepting Scotland.
    --
    David Entwistle
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  • From Mike Terry@news.dead.person.stones@darjeeling.plus.com to rec.puzzles on Thu Apr 9 20:29:13 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.puzzles

    On 09/04/2026 18:27, David Entwistle wrote:
    On Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:39:50 GMT, HenHanna@NewsGrouper wrote:

    Understandably GCHQ haven't published a Monday puzzle for a few weeks.

    ------------ Understandably ??? (I dn't understand it)

    Monday 6th April, 2026, was Easter Monday, a public holiday in the UK, excepting Scotland.


    ...and by long established tradition, all spying activities stop on bank holidays too - fair's fair!
    :) In fact, spying is strongly discouraged during the 2-week period prior to any public holiday,
    so GCHQ staff can safely book their holiday breaks...

    Mike.
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  • From David Entwistle@qnivq.ragjvfgyr@ogvagrearg.pbz to rec.puzzles on Fri Apr 10 08:41:36 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.puzzles

    On Thu, 9 Apr 2026 20:29:13 +0100, Mike Terry wrote:

    ...and by long established tradition, all spying activities stop on bank holidays too - fair's fair!
    :) In fact, spying is strongly discouraged during the 2-week period
    prior to any public holiday,
    so GCHQ staff can safely book their holiday breaks...

    On the other hand, I have read that if the UK ever faces a puzzle-based threat, we're in good hands. :)
    --
    David Entwistle
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  • From The True Melissa@thetruemelissa@gmail.com to rec.puzzles,rec.games.trivia,sci.lang,alt.usage.english on Fri Apr 10 06:36:17 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.puzzles

    Verily, in article <1775752790-4055@newsgrouper.org>, did
    HenHanna@NewsGrouper deliver unto us this message:
    Yes, **slush** has slightly different nuances in UK English. In Britain,
    the word most strongly refers to **dirty, muddy melting snow**?the
    grey, sludgy stuff you step in on wet winter pavements and roads. This gritty, unpleasant quality is more emphasized in British usage.

    In the US, "slush" is more commonly associated with **frozen sweet drinks** (like cherry slush slushies). While Brits understand this meaning,
    they're more likely to call it a "slushie" or specify the drink type.
    In the UK, plain "slush" more naturally brings to mind road snow
    rather than beverages.

    What's your source for this? I'm American, and I call that drink a
    slushie. "Slush" means the melting snow outside.
    --
    The True Melissa - Canal Winchester - Ohio
    United States of America - North America - Earth
    Solar System - Milky Way - Local Group
    Virgo Cluster - Laniakea Supercluster - Cosmos
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  • From Peter Moylan@peter@pmoylan.org to rec.puzzles,rec.games.trivia,sci.lang,alt.usage.english on Fri Apr 10 20:51:37 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.puzzles

    On 10/04/26 20:36, The True Melissa wrote:
    Verily, in article <1775752790-4055@newsgrouper.org>, did HenHanna@NewsGrouper deliver unto us this message:

    Yes, **slush** has slightly different nuances in UK English. In Britain,
    the word most strongly refers to **dirty, muddy melting snow**?the
    grey, sludgy stuff you step in on wet winter pavements and roads. This
    gritty, unpleasant quality is more emphasized in British usage.

    In the US, "slush" is more commonly associated with **frozen sweet drinks** >> (like cherry slush slushies). While Brits understand this meaning,
    they're more likely to call it a "slushie" or specify the drink type.
    In the UK, plain "slush" more naturally brings to mind road snow
    rather than beverages.

    What's your source for this? I'm American, and I call that drink a
    slushie. "Slush" means the melting snow outside.

    Since I've had little experience of snow, I associate "slush" with
    "slush funds".
    --
    Peter Moylan peter@pmoylan.org http://www.pmoylan.org
    Newcastle, NSW
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  • From Tony Cooper@tonycooper214@gmail.com to rec.puzzles,rec.games.trivia,sci.lang,alt.usage.english on Fri Apr 10 09:50:04 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.puzzles

    On Fri, 10 Apr 2026 06:36:17 -0400, The True Melissa
    <thetruemelissa@gmail.com> wrote:

    Verily, in article <1775752790-4055@newsgrouper.org>, did >HenHanna@NewsGrouper deliver unto us this message:
    Yes, **slush** has slightly different nuances in UK English. In Britain,
    the word most strongly refers to **dirty, muddy melting snow**?the
    grey, sludgy stuff you step in on wet winter pavements and roads. This
    gritty, unpleasant quality is more emphasized in British usage.

    In the US, "slush" is more commonly associated with **frozen sweet drinks** >> (like cherry slush slushies). While Brits understand this meaning,
    they're more likely to call it a "slushie" or specify the drink type.
    In the UK, plain "slush" more naturally brings to mind road snow
    rather than beverages.

    What's your source for this? I'm American, and I call that drink a
    slushie. "Slush" means the melting snow outside.

    The term for the frozen drink is "Slushie". "Slush" is, as you said,
    melting snow, but not on the road. It's in the gutters of the streets
    and what you have to wade through.
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  • From The True Melissa@thetruemelissa@gmail.com to rec.puzzles,rec.games.trivia,sci.lang,alt.usage.english on Fri Apr 10 10:51:04 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.puzzles

    Verily, in article <iovhtkpah0uev84hhdju9s59mkfkoo3vah@4ax.com>, did tonycooper214@gmail.com deliver unto us this message:

    On Fri, 10 Apr 2026 06:36:17 -0400, The True Melissa <thetruemelissa@gmail.com> wrote:

    Verily, in article <1775752790-4055@newsgrouper.org>, did >HenHanna@NewsGrouper deliver unto us this message:
    Yes, **slush** has slightly different nuances in UK English. In Britain, >> the word most strongly refers to **dirty, muddy melting snow**?the
    grey, sludgy stuff you step in on wet winter pavements and roads. This
    gritty, unpleasant quality is more emphasized in British usage.

    In the US, "slush" is more commonly associated with **frozen sweet drinks**
    (like cherry slush slushies). While Brits understand this meaning,
    they're more likely to call it a "slushie" or specify the drink type.
    In the UK, plain "slush" more naturally brings to mind road snow
    rather than beverages.

    What's your source for this? I'm American, and I call that drink a >slushie. "Slush" means the melting snow outside.

    The term for the frozen drink is "Slushie". "Slush" is, as you said,
    melting snow, but not on the road. It's in the gutters of the streets
    and what you have to wade through.

    I would say there's slush on the road, though it wouldn't be there long
    if anyone were driving.
    --
    The True Melissa - Canal Winchester - Ohio
    United States of America - North America - Earth
    Solar System - Milky Way - Local Group
    Virgo Cluster - Laniakea Supercluster - Cosmos
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  • From Rich Ulrich@rich.ulrich@comcast.net to rec.puzzles,rec.games.trivia,sci.lang,alt.usage.english on Fri Apr 10 11:45:33 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.puzzles

    On Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:51:04 -0400, The True Melissa
    <thetruemelissa@gmail.com> wrote:

    Verily, in article <iovhtkpah0uev84hhdju9s59mkfkoo3vah@4ax.com>, did >tonycooper214@gmail.com deliver unto us this message:

    On Fri, 10 Apr 2026 06:36:17 -0400, The True Melissa
    <thetruemelissa@gmail.com> wrote:

    Verily, in article <1775752790-4055@newsgrouper.org>, did
    HenHanna@NewsGrouper deliver unto us this message:
    Yes, **slush** has slightly different nuances in UK English. In Britain, >> >> the word most strongly refers to **dirty, muddy melting snow**?the
    grey, sludgy stuff you step in on wet winter pavements and roads. This
    gritty, unpleasant quality is more emphasized in British usage.

    In the US, "slush" is more commonly associated with **frozen sweet drinks**
    (like cherry slush slushies). While Brits understand this meaning,
    they're more likely to call it a "slushie" or specify the drink type.
    In the UK, plain "slush" more naturally brings to mind road snow
    rather than beverages.

    What's your source for this? I'm American, and I call that drink a
    slushie. "Slush" means the melting snow outside.

    The term for the frozen drink is "Slushie". "Slush" is, as you said,
    melting snow, but not on the road. It's in the gutters of the streets
    and what you have to wade through.

    I would say there's slush on the road, though it wouldn't be there long
    if anyone were driving.

    That seems to say nothing at all about "sulsh fund" -- and, indeed,
    apparently slush fund is separate from snow or ice in any form.

    Henhatta's post included the claimed precedent, without clarification.
    From Wikipedia, slush_fund,
    "Slush fund" was originally a nautical term for the cash that a
    ship's crew raised by selling fat (slush) scraped from cooking pots
    to tallow makers. This cash was kept separate from the ship's
    accounts and used to make small purchases for the crew.

    Wikipedia cites OED and wordsmith.org (? no idea). The article
    has an interesting selection of examples - Nixon, Enron, pro hockey. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slush_fund#Examples

    Some Google hits say "18th century" but Googlebooks ngrams
    show very low presence of "slush", at all, betore 1800, let alone
    "slush fund". The books cited for 1800-1920 start with 10
    citations after1900, none establishing the 'nautical' precedent.
    Maybe OED had a date for that.
    --
    Rich Ulrich




    --
    Rich Ulrich

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  • From Tony Cooper@tonycooper214@gmail.com to rec.puzzles,rec.games.trivia,sci.lang,alt.usage.english on Fri Apr 10 12:01:49 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.puzzles

    On Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:51:04 -0400, The True Melissa
    <thetruemelissa@gmail.com> wrote:

    Verily, in article <iovhtkpah0uev84hhdju9s59mkfkoo3vah@4ax.com>, did >tonycooper214@gmail.com deliver unto us this message:

    On Fri, 10 Apr 2026 06:36:17 -0400, The True Melissa
    <thetruemelissa@gmail.com> wrote:

    Verily, in article <1775752790-4055@newsgrouper.org>, did
    HenHanna@NewsGrouper deliver unto us this message:
    Yes, **slush** has slightly different nuances in UK English. In Britain, >> >> the word most strongly refers to **dirty, muddy melting snow**?the
    grey, sludgy stuff you step in on wet winter pavements and roads. This
    gritty, unpleasant quality is more emphasized in British usage.

    In the US, "slush" is more commonly associated with **frozen sweet drinks**
    (like cherry slush slushies). While Brits understand this meaning,
    they're more likely to call it a "slushie" or specify the drink type.
    In the UK, plain "slush" more naturally brings to mind road snow
    rather than beverages.

    What's your source for this? I'm American, and I call that drink a
    slushie. "Slush" means the melting snow outside.

    The term for the frozen drink is "Slushie". "Slush" is, as you said,
    melting snow, but not on the road. It's in the gutters of the streets
    and what you have to wade through.

    I would say there's slush on the road, though it wouldn't be there long
    if anyone were driving.

    Having lived in Indiana and Illinois in the winter, I'm very familiar
    with slush. Streets are convex so rain water and melting snow water
    flows to the gutter. As the snow melts, the run-off is to the gutter,
    so the slush accumulates in the gutter. The street surface may be snow-covered, wet, or icy, but not slushy.

    Slush in the city wasn't pretty white snow remains; it was dirty gray.
    Back when men wore leather-soled shoes, if you went out when it snowed
    or when the snow was melting - and were too vain to wear boots or
    rubbers - the leather soles and your socks would become waterlogged
    and your feet would be cold and wet all day. Some days your trousers
    would be wet-to-the-knee.



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  • From Tony Cooper@tonycooper214@gmail.com to rec.puzzles,rec.games.trivia,sci.lang,alt.usage.english on Fri Apr 10 12:07:28 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.puzzles

    On Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:45:33 -0400, Rich Ulrich
    <rich.ulrich@comcast.net> wrote:

    On Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:51:04 -0400, The True Melissa ><thetruemelissa@gmail.com> wrote:

    Verily, in article <iovhtkpah0uev84hhdju9s59mkfkoo3vah@4ax.com>, did >>tonycooper214@gmail.com deliver unto us this message:

    On Fri, 10 Apr 2026 06:36:17 -0400, The True Melissa
    <thetruemelissa@gmail.com> wrote:

    Verily, in article <1775752790-4055@newsgrouper.org>, did
    HenHanna@NewsGrouper deliver unto us this message:
    Yes, **slush** has slightly different nuances in UK English. In Britain, >>> >> the word most strongly refers to **dirty, muddy melting snow**?the
    grey, sludgy stuff you step in on wet winter pavements and roads. This >>> >> gritty, unpleasant quality is more emphasized in British usage.

    In the US, "slush" is more commonly associated with **frozen sweet drinks**
    (like cherry slush slushies). While Brits understand this meaning,
    they're more likely to call it a "slushie" or specify the drink type. >>> >> In the UK, plain "slush" more naturally brings to mind road snow
    rather than beverages.

    What's your source for this? I'm American, and I call that drink a
    slushie. "Slush" means the melting snow outside.

    The term for the frozen drink is "Slushie". "Slush" is, as you said,
    melting snow, but not on the road. It's in the gutters of the streets
    and what you have to wade through.

    I would say there's slush on the road, though it wouldn't be there long
    if anyone were driving.

    That seems to say nothing at all about "sulsh fund" -- and, indeed, >apparently slush fund is separate from snow or ice in any form.

    In my experience, a "slush fund" is an amount of money that has no
    declared purpose and can be used for unaccounted for expenses. It is
    often "off the books".

    While "petty cash" meets that description, a "slush fund" is usually a
    larger amount and held in an account rather than as cash.


    Henhatta's post

    You actually read and understand Hen's posts?

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