What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
notarikon
Example
NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which can be turned into the notarikon N-A-S-A.
Example
The word 'news' can be broken down into the cardinal directions: North, East, West, and South. [notarikon: interpretation]
Example
The Hebrew word for 'light' (or) is made up of the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, suggesting that light encompasses everything from beginning to end. [notarikon: Kabbalistic interpretation]
acrostic
Example
The poem 'A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky' by Lewis Carroll contains an acrostic that spells out the name of his friend's daughter, 'Gertrude Chataway'.
Example
The phrase 'Every Good Boy Does Fine' is an acrostic used to remember the notes on the lines of a treble clef in music.
Example
The acronym 'ROYGBIV' is an acrostic used to remember the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Acrostic is more commonly used than notarikon in everyday language and is more widely known and recognized.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between notarikon and acrostic?
Both notarikon and acrostic can be used in informal contexts, such as word games or puzzles. However, notarikon may be considered more formal due to its association with Jewish mysticism and esoteric knowledge.
