CIA Cryptonyms

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has since its creation in 1947 utilised cryptonyms - that is, coined acronym type words - as portmanteaux beneath which are kept all related information.

These CIA Cryptonyms have the effect of partially concealing from unauthorised view the substance of internal CIA communications, since the cryptonyms used do not offer any clue as to the nature of the subject matter.

All known CIA Cryptonyms are in the format XX / WORD where XX is a pair of Roman letters eg ZR and the WORD is a word in the English language for example RIFLE. Combining the elements gives us the classic form of a CIA Cryptonym, ZRRIFLE or ZR/RIFLE (either notation format is used, apparently with no strong regimen for when which format is to be employed other than clarity).

CIA Cryptonyms have given rise to some fascinating urban legends wherein the phenomenon of pareidolia has led researchers and theorists to attribute sinister meaning to the codewords used. In fact, it is highly unlikely any such codewords have hidden meanings, since the entire purpose of using cryptonyms is to conceal the nature of the operation, project, subject or person to which they refer.