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Þ Traditional Cache

Hidden : 12/3/2007
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:


Þis cache is a tribute to þe lost letter “þ”. þhe letter “þ” is þe lost 27þ letter of þe alphabet. “þ” is pronounced “þorn”, like a prickle on þe stem of a rose (or perhaps a þistle). As you might þink, “þ” makes a sound like a “th”.

“þ” was used frequently in Old English. It became less frequently used by þe 15 þ century, and over time began to resemble þe letter “y”. þe change was cheaper and easier to make in documents þan on store-fronts, however, and long after “þ”s disappeared from paper documents, þey remained on shop signs. þere þey were seen by readers who were not even aware þat þere had ever been such a character as a “þ”. þus arose þe misconception þat þere was an archaic word ``Ye'' meaning `”The”. Alþough always used in þe Middle English Bible translation by Wycliffe, þe letter “þ” was entirely replaced by þe “y” in þe 1611 King James Bible. Perhaps þe deaÞ knell for “Þ” occurred in þe 1960’s when þe ISO (as might be expected) declared þe 26-letter alphabet to be þe standard English alphabet, under ISO/IEC 646.

Today, þe letter “þ” survives in some Scandinavian languages, but its use in þe English language is almost non-existent. “þ” is sorted alphabetically as a unique letter following “Z”. AlÞough it predated þe use of þe letters G, J, U, and W, Þ is unfortunately not often considered when listing Þe alphabet today. My conspiracy Þeory is Þat Þe auÞor of Þe Alphabet Song didn’t want Þe rhyme to be messed up!

Þis cache may require some steaÞ if Þe neighbors are home. It was placed in Þe snow, so it is winter friendly.

Replaced May 29, 2022 with a camoed pre-form container.

Don’t support Þis oppression of þe letter “Þ”!! Make sure your logs for Þis cache are “th” free!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Nggnpurq gb zrgny, ohg abg zntargvp. Cersbez ghor.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)