numeronym

A numeronym is a form of abbreviation in which a word or phrase is shortened by replacing the middle portion with a numeral that counts how many letters have been omitted. The usual pattern is the first letter, the numeral, and the last letter. For example, internationalization becomes i18n, localization becomes l10n, and accessibility becomes a11y. The numeric part conveys the number of letters omitted between the initial and final characters.

Numeronyms are common in computing, programming, and technical documentation because they reduce long terms without losing a recognizable anchor to the original word. They are particularly prevalent for long English words, product names, and project acronyms. Other well-known examples include i18n, l10n, a11y, and k8s.

Origin and terminology: The concept is described as a numeronym in information-technology parlance. The term numeronym is used in linguistic and computing contexts to describe such abbreviations. The precise origin of the term is unclear, but the pattern has appeared in technical writing since the late 20th century.

Limitations: The usage can hinder comprehension for readers unfamiliar with the pattern. Numeronyms are more common in technical contexts and may not be appropriate in user-facing content or documents aimed at a general audience. They are most effective when the target audience recognizes the underlying word or when the abbreviation appears in familiar contexts.