rebus
REE-bus
/ˈriː.bəs/
A puzzle in which words are represented by combinations of pictures and individual letters.
A visual-linguistic puzzle where the sounds of the pictured objects combine to form words, relying on phonetics rather than direct visual representation.
The story behind the word. The word comes from a Latin phrase used in France: de rebus quae geruntur ('concerning things that are going on'). Clerks in Picardy used to write satirical bills using pictures instead of words to mock local figures, representing words 'by things' (rebus) rather than letters.
Word relationships
- pictogram: A pictogram directly represents the object shown, while a rebus uses the sound of the object's name to represent a different word or syllable.
- visual puzzle: Visual puzzle is a broad category, whereas rebus is a specific phonetic-visual puzzle.
- plaintext: Plaintext is direct, unadorned text with no visual or coded elements.
Commonly confused with
- pictogram: A pictogram directly represents the object shown; a rebus uses the sound of the object's name to represent a different word or syllable.
Word family
- rebuses (noun plural): Multiple visual-phonetic puzzles.
Collocations
- rebus puzzle
- solve a rebus
- visual rebus
Example sentences
- "The rebus was a favorite device of the medieval heralds." A historical study on medieval heraldry and symbols. (J.R. Planché, The Pursuivant of Arms, 1852)
Memory hook
Picture a bus with a giant D painted on it—it is a rebus for 'De-bus'. Solving a puzzle 'by things' (rebus) rather than words.
When not to use
Do not use for a standard drawing or illustration; it must be a puzzle meant to be read phonetically.
Fun facts
- The famous 'I ♥ NY' logo designed by Milton Glaser is technically a rebus, substituting a heart symbol for the word 'love'.
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