During the Cold War, Reagan often butted heads with the French who often failed to understand the mavericks unique perspectives. One day, after a particularly hostile week with the French Prime Minister, a letter arrived at the French embassy from President Reagan. It was opened to read: S370HSSA-0773H.
The French Information Service had no idea what it meant. They called in an expert from the French Army Linguistics team, who were also stumped. Even their best cryptologist could not figure out it's meaning. An aging German diplomat who happened to be visiting asked if he could see it. He read the note and chuckled, "We used to get those messages all the time during the Great War....turn it upside down."
