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GCHQ Monday Puzzle

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  GCHQ Monday Puzzle David Entwistle <qnivq.ragjvfgyr@ogvagrearg.pbz> - 2026-04-06 10:58 +0000
    Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle David Entwistle <qnivq.ragjvfgyr@ogvagrearg.pbz> - 2026-04-07 08:45 +0000
     GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English) HenHanna@NewsGrouper <user4055@newsgrouper.org.invalid> - 2026-04-09 16:39 +0000
      Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English) David Entwistle <qnivq.ragjvfgyr@ogvagrearg.pbz> - 2026-04-09 17:27 +0000
        Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English) Mike Terry <news.dead.person.stones@darjeeling.plus.com> - 2026-04-09 20:29 +0100
          Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English) David Entwistle <qnivq.ragjvfgyr@ogvagrearg.pbz> - 2026-04-10 08:41 +0000
      Re:  GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English) The True Melissa <thetruemelissa@gmail.com> - 2026-04-10 06:36 -0400
        Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English) Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org> - 2026-04-10 20:51 +1000
        Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English) Tony Cooper <tonycooper214@gmail.com> - 2026-04-10 09:50 -0400
          Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English) The True Melissa <thetruemelissa@gmail.com> - 2026-04-10 10:51 -0400
            Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English) Rich Ulrich <rich.ulrich@comcast.net> - 2026-04-10 11:45 -0400
              Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English) Tony Cooper <tonycooper214@gmail.com> - 2026-04-10 12:07 -0400
            Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English) Tony Cooper <tonycooper214@gmail.com> - 2026-04-10 12:01 -0400
        Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English) Phil Carmody <pc+usenet@asdf.org> - 2026-05-24 21:47 +0300
          Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English) James Dow Allen <user4353@newsgrouper.org.invalid> - 2026-05-24 19:39 +0000

#27700 — GCHQ Monday Puzzle

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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#27702

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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#27705 — GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English)

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**—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.

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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#27708 — Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English)

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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#27709 — Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English)

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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#27710 — Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English)

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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#27712 — Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English)

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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#27713 — Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English)

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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#27714 — Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English)

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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#27715 — Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English)

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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#27717 — Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English)

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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#27719 — Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English)

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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#27718 — Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English)

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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#27839 — Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English)

The True Melissa <thetruemelissa@gmail.com> writes:
> 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. 

However, I'd say the brand that introduced the concept to the brits was
almost certainly "Slush Puppie", so that concept is quite tightly
coupled to that word.

Phil
-- 
We are no longer hunters and nomads. No longer awed and frightened, as we have
gained some understanding of the world in which we live. As such, we can cast
aside childish remnants from the dawn of our civilization.
-- NotSanguine on SoylentNews, after Eugen Weber in /The Western Tradition/

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#27840 — Re: GCHQ Monday Puzzle____ "Slush" -- (UK vs US English)

The True Melissa <thetruemelissa@gmail.com> writes:
> Verily, in article <1775752790-4055@newsgrouper.org>, did 
> HenHanna@NewsGrouper deliver unto us this message:
>> Yes, **slush** has slightly different nuances in UK English....

My favorite dictionary
    https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/slush
offers eight definitions, including synonym of slushie, without
noting any dialectical qualifications.  The 'slush' entry did NOT
show the meaning I was looking for, which is found under
    https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/slush_fund

Etymology: May be a variant of sludge or imitative like slosh.
Perhaps a confluence of both influences. 

'slush' also shows as Dutch, Finnish and French words, all borrowed from
the English (though French also offers 'sloche' as alternate spelling).

-----
James

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