The Codebreakers have it

Not even 48 hours after reports about the so-called secret code contained within the judgement of the Da Vinci Code infringement trial broke, eager puzzlers have discovered what it is: a simple phrase, an homage to Admiral John Arbuthnot Fisher, known as Jackie, credited with modernizing the British Navy in the early 20th century. The phrase, confirmed by the judge, was: “Jackie Fisher who are you Dreadnought.”

“If the judge’s motive was to draw attention to a long-lost war hero, then he’s done it very effectively,” said a lawyer with the Olswang firm, one of several code-breakers to come up with the solution.

Interestingly, Judge Smith said via email to the New York Times’ Sarah Lyall that he is not especially interested in codes. “I hate crosswords,” he wrote, “and do not do Sudoku as I do not have the patience.” But he does like to have a bit of fun…

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