Communication Codes

Subject: Communication Codes
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 01:22 PM

Communication Code
Twitter posts have a 140-character limit, guided by the 160-character limit established by SMS.

In late 19th century telegraphy, carriers imposed an extra charge for words longer than 15 characters and messages over ten words, thus the cheapest telegram was often limited to 150 characters.

The Anglo-American Telegraph Code (1891) issued a word book for common phrases.
Here are a few-

Actuate- You will accomplish but little
Acescet- Has met with a trifling accident
Amphimacer- You must send my allowance immediately
Andalusite- You seem to be annoyed
Apse- The sheriff will not arrest
Babylonite- Please provide bail immediately
Blacktail- You have made a blunder
Capriped- Cattle are scarce
Cargoose- It will be necessary to exercise caution
Cellar- The cheaper the better
Chaser- The laboring classes
Cogware- Compliments of the season
Crypt- Credit exhausted
Delight- Decline(s) to have anything to do with the matter
Earthly- You should be more economical
Employ- Take every precaution against escape
Flank- A fire is raging here, please send engine
Illiteral- A panic is thought to be imminent
Inert- If sufficient inducement is offered
Insidiator- How much is your life insured for?
Lambative- Employ a good lawyer
Morisco- Money no object
Orangemen- What is the opinion on the street
Phantastic- Physician gives very little hope
Nepotal- Wishing you a happy New Year
Roselite- Resistance is useless
Rutaceous- Reserve for myself and wife a good suite of rooms
Slank- Sick of the entire matter
Titmouse- I accept with pleasure your invitation...

OP-ED Column, NY Times, August 3, 2009, and online.
Ben Schott's Miscellany, 2009

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: GUEST,Jack Campin (in Budapest)
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 03:53 PM

At home I have a little book of these, for a system called Unicode. It was well designed but the information-theoretically inevitable consequence of such a system is that a one-letter slip can make you say "please report to the VD clinic, I have the clap" when you meant to say "happy birthday to Auntie".

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: Rowan
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 06:41 PM

When I went to Mawson, as part of ANARE, teleprinters were "the go" for text-based comms. Each of us was issued with a copy of a section of the Blake International Code. Blake's Code used "words", each five letters long, to denote particular phrases that might be several words long. It started with "AAAAA" and went through all the combinations to "ZZZZZ"and most of them had relevance to maritime activities.

About a third of Blake's Code was left "free" for individual governments to define their own phrases, often shrouded in a certain amount of secrecy. The Australian government (ANARE activities were run by Antarctic Division, a part of the Dept of External Affairs when I was involved) allocated a section of its "free" third (starting at WYAAA, IIRC) for use by us expeditioners; so that we could communicate with up to 5 "loved ones" we each were issued with a copy to give them and one to take south.

The coded prowords covered many routine activities, like "I went on a dog trip to" [nominated location], allowing a message of two words to cover an 8 word sentence. Many locations also had a geographic description attached, meaning the 2 prowords might cover about 20 real words. There were squillions of islands around what is now Casey, but which was then called "Repstat" as it was being built to replace Wilkes, a US base taken over by Oz after the 1967-68 IGY. Each island had its own proword, of no use to those of us at any of the other ANARE Stations. So we each converted those prowords to something privately known only by one's "intimate other".

But I still occasionally lapse into using WYZZA for "I will send you a message" or WYSWO for "Love and kisses" which, in my version at the time, had "all over" appended.

Cheers (and WYSWO), Rowan

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: open mike
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 11:40 PM

for radio communications, law enforcement (and sometimes fire service)
use the "Ten code"
http://spiffy.ci.uiuc.edu/~kline/Stuff/ten-codes.html

also 51/50 means "crazy", "mentally unbalanced" or
"a danger to self or others" and often results in a
"72 hour hold" at the mental health department

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: GUEST,G4WQD
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 05:25 AM

Radio operators (maritime, aeronautical, amateur etc) use the Q code, a 3 letter code beginning with Q such as QTH which literally means 'What is your location?'. The answer would be 'QTH......'.

In Radio Amateur use QTH has evolved and is now used to describe someone's address / location, the original questioning version has grown a question mark: 'QTH?' or 'ur QTH?'.

Although commonly used in Telephony (speech), the code was developed for Wireless Telegraphy, ie Morse Code, where it helpfully abbreviated a lot of questions that would otherwise take an awful lot of plain language.

Interestingly (well I think it's interesting!) the use of texting on mobile phones has spawned the parallel evolution of abbreviated phrases commonly used in Telegraphy, such as CUAGN, BCNU etc.

I'll go back under my stone now!

JJ

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: HuwG
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 07:51 AM

In the weird and wonderful world of assembly- or machine-code programmers, some hexadecimal (i.e. base 16) numbers known as "magic numbers" have specific meanings, sometimes built into hardware or operating systems by the manufacturer:

0xABADBABE ("a bad babe") is used by Apple as the "Boot Zero Block" magic number.
0xBAADF00D ("bad food") is used by Microsoft's LocalAlloc(LMEM_FIXED) to indicate uninitialised allocated heap memory.
0xBADDCAFE ("bad cafe") is used by 'watchmalloc' in OpenSolaris to mark allocated but uninitialized memory.
0xCAFEBABE ("cafe babe") is used by Mach-O ("Fat binary" in both 68k and PowerPC) to identify object files, and by the Java programming language to identify Java bytecode class files.
0xCAFED00D ("Cafe Dude") is used by Sun JAVA as a magic number for their pack200 compression.
0xDEADBEEF ("dead beef") is used by IBM RS/6000 systems, Mac OS on 32-bit PowerPC processors and the Commodore Amiga as a magic debug value. On Sun Microsystems' Solaris, it marks freed kernel memory. On OpenVMS running on Alpha processors, DEAD_BEEF can be seen by pressing CTRL-T.
0xDEFEC8ED ("defecated") is the magic number for OpenSolaris core dumps.
0xFACEFEED ("face feed") is used by Alpha servers running Windows NT. The Alpha Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) generates this error when it encounters a hardware failure.
0xFEE1DEAD ("feel dead") is used as a magic number in the Linux reboot system call.
0xC0ED ("coed") is used as a magic number in the Linux mount system call.
0xBADCAB1E ("bad cable") Error Code returned to the Microsoft eVC debugger when connection is severed to the debugger.
0xFEEDFACE ("feed face") is used as a header for Mach-O binaries, and as an invalid pointer value for 'watchmalloc' in OpenSolaris.
0xD15EA5E\0 ("disease") opens a game disc partition on the Wii video game console. (\0 is used to mark the end of a string. Also of note, it was 0xDEADBEEF on the Nintendo GameCube.)
0xDEADDEAD ("dead dead") is the STOP code when invoking a Blue Screen of Death by using a special keystroke on a Windows NT based OS.
0xBEADFACE ("bead face, or face bead") Is the pattern that fills all unused memory locations in the Motorola 68HCS12DP256 micro-controller simulator, SimHC12.

See Wikipedia

I must be one of thousands of programmers who embedded 0x0B0110C5 at the end of fixed size memory allocations, though rather unintuitively, it was what you exclaimed when data overflowed and you didn't see the magic number.

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: open mike
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 01:33 PM

QSL is a card you get (or send?) to confirm rec't of a radio signal
esp. short wave...some radiophiles collect and trade QSL cards

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QSL

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: John J
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 05:08 PM

QSL in amateur radio parlance is 'Acknowledgement of receipt' - sort of 'Did you get that?'.

The more correct meaning is 'Please acknowledge receipt of this message'. The answer should include the received message, to confirm it has been received correctly.

John
G4WQD

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 05:16 PM

On August 3 I started this thread by posting codes from the 1891 Anglo-American Telegraphy Code list.
They have disappeared. I know I posted them because the post is listed in my Personal Page.

What the hell?

---

Boy, that's the first time I've seen that, Q. I did some chicanery and found the post, but it wasn't connected to any thread and it was tough to figure out how to transfer it.
But it's back now.
-Joe, quite proud of himself.-

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 05:52 PM

A search on '1891' shows a message with no content. It seems have a listing, but has nothing in it.

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 06:07 PM

I posted about 20 from the list. How did the content get removed?

Here are a few again-
abandonee- Abandoned in a sinking condition
Acescet- Has met with a trifling accident
Aerial-Act upon your attorney's advice
Babylonite- Please provide bail immediately
Boutade- Business is declining
Capriped- Cattle are scarce
Cellar- The cheaper the better
Chaser- The laboring classes
Cheerly- The climate is healthful
Crypt- Credit exhausted
Earthly- You should be more economical
Employ- Take every precaution against escape.
Flank- A fire is raging here. Please send engine
Mahogany- Malaria prevails extensively
Organism-Taxation is oppresive
Rutaceous- Reserve for myself and wife a good suite of rooms
Titmouse- I accept with pleasure your invitation for the theater tomorrow evening

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 06:13 PM

I have a collection of QSL cards, received some years ago, when I was listening to a lot of short wave, and reported on reception of stations in the South Pacific and Asia.

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 09:59 AM

Your list was on my computer, in the first post, Q. Approx 31 items, from actuate to titmouse. Dated August 3rd.

The question is, why does it show on my computer and not on yours?

Somebody play the theme from 'Twilight Zone.'

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 10:13 AM

Q, I'm intrigued with many (maybe I should only say "several") of the items in your lists, the translations of which are so detailed or special that they might only be used on a particular occasion, or perhaps by a particular individual. Such as, for a couple of examples:

Rutaceous- Reserve for myself and wife a good suite of rooms
Titmouse- I accept with pleasure your invitation for the theater tomorrow evening

I understand the utility of a list of "building blocks" for messages, but why would one assign a special code word for a likely one-time use?

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: beardedbruce
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 10:25 AM

Dave,

It seems to me that the examples you gave would be very common, in the class of people who were sending telegrams in 1891. Definitely not one use.

Now,

"Flank- A fire is raging here. Please send engine"

seems like something not telegraphed often- the delay in getting (the engine) there would be critical.

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 11:07 AM

Bearded Bruce:

Reconsider this one:
Titmouse- I accept with pleasure your invitation for the theater tomorrow evening

Is there then to be a separate code word for acceptance of an invitation to dinner? Lunch? Breakfast? Drink after work?

Are there to be separate codes for acceptance of theater for the day after tomorrow, or for next Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and so on? Or for a concert instead of the theater?

The "accept with pleasure your invitation" module would make sense, I suppose, but in the "Titmouse" example there are not one but two additional pieces of variable information built in.

As to the hotel reservation, there is also at least one variable. Unless the list builder intends the list only for his own personal marital situation, the "myself and wife" makes "Rutaceous" unusable for someone traveling alone, or vacationing with children or a nurse or valet, or for someone wanting only a room rather than a suite. And of course such a list, to be useful, has to be very widely distributed, understandable, and applicable, both for senders and recipients.

I still say it sounds strange to have some of these canned messages set up in advance, especially if the code list is to be referred to by a variety of users.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 11:12 AM

I note the list has:

Roselite- Resistance is useless

but do they have

You will be assimilated?

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 03:00 PM

One would have to see the Anglo-American Telegraph Code Book for the complete list- I have no idea what was included, beyond the examples given by Schott.
The rationale of some (many) of the terms defeats me, and how they were made up I don't know. Some veteran telegrapher may know.

There were several systems; the Gerrish System was popular, the 1906 edition can be had from Kessinger Publishing for about $10.00. The Watts system was another. Some others are listed at booksellers.

Some institutions had their own; one used by the Denver National Bank is listed for sale at Abebooks.

When I was a child, early 1930s, my grandfather's office had two boxes on the wall, one yellow (Western Union), one dark blue (Postal Telegraph, defunct). Punching a button would bring a boy in uniform to collect the telegraph messages. A code was used for standard phrases, but I have little memory of the terms or where they came from.

Some were popular business catch phrases; I remember the phrase "a fire is raging here, please send engine" meant 'big problem, send someone who has authority to deal with it', but I don't know what the code or abbreviation was that was used.

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 03:25 PM

The Anglo-American Telegraphic Code, 1891 ed., had 499 pages.

Surprise! the complete 1891 code is online,
http://www.archive.org/details/angloamericante00yorkgoog

Example of letter, and code telegraph:
In reply to your letter 1st of August I wish to say that if he will make a reasonable abatement I will consider the matter. What is your view? Can it be done safely? I will take upon myself the entire responsibility. Let me know as soon as possible. If it can be dome make the best terms possible. Answer by the Anglo-American Code.
In code:
Legend, Attloder, Abducs, Vlary, Sadlir, Taibie, Kosits, Dombeys, Thorn, and Andarac.
From the introduction (fine print so transcription of codes may have errors).

(How on earth were these codes selected??)

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 03:49 PM

"a fire is raging here, please send engine" meant 'big problem, send someone who has authority to deal with it',

Okay, okay,that makes better sense! Even the translations may be codes, or at least figurative speech.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 04:07 PM

With figurative speech in mind, a little fun in the business world:

Capriped- Cattle are scarce    = We can't afford to restock the store!

Cargoose- It will be necessary to exercise caution = The IRS is after us!

Earthly- You should be more economical =   Do you think I'm made of money?      

Illiteral- A panic is thought to be imminent   = Our business may be bankrupted by what you did!

Phantastic- Physician gives very little hope = The CFO is SURE we're going bankrupt!

Inert- If sufficient inducement is offered    = How much is it worth to you to cover it up?

Insidiator- How much is your life insured for? = I'm ready to murder you for what you did!

Lambative- Employ a good lawyer         = I'm about to sue you!

Morisco- Money no object    = I'm going to get you if it takes every dime I've got!

Rutaceous- Reserve for myself and wife a good suite of rooms = I've got to get out of town; can I hide out at your place?

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 05:01 PM

Dave O, very good.

With the computer and internet, so much of the old ways of communicating in business have disappeared. Western Union now just transfers money.

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 12:51 PM

Perhaps my favourite was Sir Charles Napier who, on capturing the province of Sind (1840s) sent the one word message "Peccavi", meaning "I have sinned"

Subject: RE: Communication Codes
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 Jan 11 - 07:53 AM

I am racking my brains to gather more detail but there is a leading case - I think it may be about common mistake - part of which turned on the mis-literation of a commercial code in use between - if my memory serves me - a Scanidinavian shipowner, a shipbroker in London, and someone with a cargo in Australia.