Reading Rebus

An
onl
EYE symbol represents the letter /i/
i
ne
collection of rebus ephemera,
rese
ARCH symbol represents the syllable /arch/
arch
into their history
HAND symbol represents the word /and/
and
cultural uses,
HAND symbol represents the word /hand/
and
an interactive, digital
playg
ROUND symbol represents the syllable /round/
round
for translations. Why rebus?

rebus, n.

A cryptic representation of a word or phrase by pictures, symbols, arrangement of letters, etc., which suggest the word or phrase, or the syllables of which it is made up; spec. an ornamental device, often of heraldic appearance, associated with a person to whose name it punningly alludes.

In later use frequently applied to puzzles in which such a representation is used; for example, a rebus of the word apex might show a picture of an ape followed by a letter X.

General attributive, as rebus puzzle, rebus word, rebus writing, etc.

Source: OED Third Edition, June 2009; latest version published online July 2020

Rebus Collection

A growing collection of rebuses from public institutions and special collections.

Research

Writings on rebus history, cultural uses, and new discoveries.