I hate numeronyms. Don't even try.
Every time I write about accessibility, I remember that I can't spell accessibility.
February 28, 2026 at 12:11 AM
I hate numeronyms. Don't even try.
One of my biggest pet peeves in tech are all the numeronyms, like i18n for internationalization, a11y for accessibility, etc. Just spell them out! The numeronyms are harder to parse! It's 2025 we don't need to care about space constraints anymore!
November 21, 2025 at 3:01 PM
One of my biggest pet peeves in tech are all the numeronyms, like i18n for internationalization, a11y for accessibility, etc. Just spell them out! The numeronyms are harder to parse! It's 2025 we don't need to care about space constraints anymore!
You're not alone in that. It's a numeronym, and while many might not be familiar with that term, they have probably at least encountered other numeronyms.
www.a11yproject.com/posts/a11y-a...
www.a11yproject.com/posts/a11y-a...
Quick tip: a11y and a brief numeronyms primer - The A11Y Project
The numeronym 'a11y' is shorthand for 'accessibility.'
www.a11yproject.com
December 1, 2024 at 2:26 AM
You're not alone in that. It's a numeronym, and while many might not be familiar with that term, they have probably at least encountered other numeronyms.
www.a11yproject.com/posts/a11y-a...
www.a11yproject.com/posts/a11y-a...
What is "a11y" or "web a11y"?
It's a number-based abbreviation (or numeronym) for the word "accessibility."
The number 11 is used because there are 11 letters between the "a" and "y".
#A11y #Accessibility #WebA11y #WebAccessibility #Numeronym #Numeronyms
(Transcript in replies)
It's a number-based abbreviation (or numeronym) for the word "accessibility."
The number 11 is used because there are 11 letters between the "a" and "y".
#A11y #Accessibility #WebA11y #WebAccessibility #Numeronym #Numeronyms
(Transcript in replies)
November 30, 2024 at 6:48 PM
What is "a11y" or "web a11y"?
It's a number-based abbreviation (or numeronym) for the word "accessibility."
The number 11 is used because there are 11 letters between the "a" and "y".
#A11y #Accessibility #WebA11y #WebAccessibility #Numeronym #Numeronyms
(Transcript in replies)
It's a number-based abbreviation (or numeronym) for the word "accessibility."
The number 11 is used because there are 11 letters between the "a" and "y".
#A11y #Accessibility #WebA11y #WebAccessibility #Numeronym #Numeronyms
(Transcript in replies)
I hate numeronyms so much. It probably didn't help that the first one I ever saw was a16z, half of which is the egghead freak himself.
July 8, 2026 at 8:14 PM
I hate numeronyms so much. It probably didn't help that the first one I ever saw was a16z, half of which is the egghead freak himself.
100% agree with this take. Numeronyms are meant to be read, not said.
November 20, 2024 at 5:41 AM
100% agree with this take. Numeronyms are meant to be read, not said.
Numeronyms. Are there any good ones?? I ask you, bluesky.
May 4, 2023 at 1:49 AM
Numeronyms. Are there any good ones?? I ask you, bluesky.
AI coding boosters, can you point me to any vibe coders who prompt successfully for I18N, L10N, and A11Y; without these, it's not shippable software, just mock ups and prototypes.
I'd wager less than 1% of vibe coders even know what these numeronyms mean, and fewer who'd know how to test any of it.
I'd wager less than 1% of vibe coders even know what these numeronyms mean, and fewer who'd know how to test any of it.
July 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
AI coding boosters, can you point me to any vibe coders who prompt successfully for I18N, L10N, and A11Y; without these, it's not shippable software, just mock ups and prototypes.
I'd wager less than 1% of vibe coders even know what these numeronyms mean, and fewer who'd know how to test any of it.
I'd wager less than 1% of vibe coders even know what these numeronyms mean, and fewer who'd know how to test any of it.
Terms like i18n for internationalization, o11y for observability and k8s for Kubernetes are called numeronyms and the number represents how many letters are abbreviated.
January 13, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Terms like i18n for internationalization, o11y for observability and k8s for Kubernetes are called numeronyms and the number represents how many letters are abbreviated.
There are a few of these, I dunno, let's call them numeronyms: Internationalization and localization are i18n and l10n, respectively. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interna... That one's the result of the World Wide Web Consortium, not sure if a11y is too.
Internationalization and localization - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
July 29, 2024 at 10:20 PM
There are a few of these, I dunno, let's call them numeronyms: Internationalization and localization are i18n and l10n, respectively. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interna... That one's the result of the World Wide Web Consortium, not sure if a11y is too.
I hate numeronyms
"i18n" USE WORDS!!! THATS WHY WE MADE THEM UP!!!!
"i18n" USE WORDS!!! THATS WHY WE MADE THEM UP!!!!
March 20, 2025 at 1:39 PM
I hate numeronyms
"i18n" USE WORDS!!! THATS WHY WE MADE THEM UP!!!!
"i18n" USE WORDS!!! THATS WHY WE MADE THEM UP!!!!
I guess it's mostly the tech numeronyms that are the worst. i18n. a16z. k8s. Etc.
May 4, 2023 at 1:55 AM
I guess it's mostly the tech numeronyms that are the worst. i18n. a16z. k8s. Etc.
currently the problem is; if you search v12n, you won't find the full thing on google not like other numeronyms (a11y, k8s, i18n)
February 13, 2025 at 5:29 AM
currently the problem is; if you search v12n, you won't find the full thing on google not like other numeronyms (a11y, k8s, i18n)
QSing (is it clear that that means QuoteSkeeting? Or are we calling it Squoting? Have we decided on that? I feel like I should know if we have) this to talk about Numeronyms, which are a part of language I just love.
Sometimes it's abbreviations like K9 (canine), where it's mimicking the word...
Sometimes it's abbreviations like K9 (canine), where it's mimicking the word...
June 28, 2023 at 6:41 PM
QSing (is it clear that that means QuoteSkeeting? Or are we calling it Squoting? Have we decided on that? I feel like I should know if we have) this to talk about Numeronyms, which are a part of language I just love.
Sometimes it's abbreviations like K9 (canine), where it's mimicking the word...
Sometimes it's abbreviations like K9 (canine), where it's mimicking the word...
TIL the word #a11y does not mean "ally" in Leetspeak - it's an abbreviation for "accessibility," since 11 letters between the A and Y are syncopated. All this time I thought it was an exhortation for people to be better allies... mastodon.social/deck/@mhoye/...
mhoye (@mhoye@mastodon.social)
Numeronyms are fun, but they have one major problem: namespace collision.
What is a11y? Is it accessibility? Associatively? Axiomatically? Autobiography?
This is obviously a problem that needs solv...
mastodon.social
July 5, 2024 at 10:18 PM
TIL the word #a11y does not mean "ally" in Leetspeak - it's an abbreviation for "accessibility," since 11 letters between the A and Y are syncopated. All this time I thought it was an exhortation for people to be better allies... mastodon.social/deck/@mhoye/...
And numeronyms also add to the confusion and gatekeeping as folks assert that there's specific/proper ways to pronounce them.
No 💙
A11y is pronounced "accessibility"
No 💙
A11y is pronounced "accessibility"
August 9, 2023 at 10:33 PM
And numeronyms also add to the confusion and gatekeeping as folks assert that there's specific/proper ways to pronounce them.
No 💙
A11y is pronounced "accessibility"
No 💙
A11y is pronounced "accessibility"
I see those numeronyms used a lot at my company, and occasinally, they will leak in some customer-facing documentation, or presentation or else. Non-technical product people thinking those are cool I guess, so they should be unleashed unto the world.
January 10, 2026 at 4:33 PM
I see those numeronyms used a lot at my company, and occasinally, they will leak in some customer-facing documentation, or presentation or else. Non-technical product people thinking those are cool I guess, so they should be unleashed unto the world.
The tech industry habit of using acronyms and numeronyms and assuming everyone knows what they are continues here anew!
April 25, 2023 at 2:36 AM
The tech industry habit of using acronyms and numeronyms and assuming everyone knows what they are continues here anew!
Yes! and no need for credit.
Further thoughts: if you get A11Y, L10N, and I18N to "delightful," early on, not just "minimally sufficient," you're off to a good start that'll beneficially permeate other aspects. The numeronyms are hard to bolt on later, so getting them right, early, really pays off.
Further thoughts: if you get A11Y, L10N, and I18N to "delightful," early on, not just "minimally sufficient," you're off to a good start that'll beneficially permeate other aspects. The numeronyms are hard to bolt on later, so getting them right, early, really pays off.
June 26, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Yes! and no need for credit.
Further thoughts: if you get A11Y, L10N, and I18N to "delightful," early on, not just "minimally sufficient," you're off to a good start that'll beneficially permeate other aspects. The numeronyms are hard to bolt on later, so getting them right, early, really pays off.
Further thoughts: if you get A11Y, L10N, and I18N to "delightful," early on, not just "minimally sufficient," you're off to a good start that'll beneficially permeate other aspects. The numeronyms are hard to bolt on later, so getting them right, early, really pays off.
if you have to write a post explaining how to read and pronounce your shorthand i think you have failed at making it accessible!
Quick tip: a11y and a brief numeronyms primer - The A11Y Project
The numeronym 'a11y' is shorthand for 'accessibility.'
www.a11yproject.com
October 12, 2023 at 2:41 PM
if you have to write a post explaining how to read and pronounce your shorthand i think you have failed at making it accessible!
Said it before, will likely say it again: Numeronyms aren't accessible and if the first thing in your profile is # A11y I'm definitely going to judge you.
(Hashtag broken intentionally.)
(Hashtag broken intentionally.)
March 25, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Said it before, will likely say it again: Numeronyms aren't accessible and if the first thing in your profile is # A11y I'm definitely going to judge you.
(Hashtag broken intentionally.)
(Hashtag broken intentionally.)
What a way to close the #SummerGameFest presentation! Takeuchi-san did say it was 'just another blink of the eye away'. Looks incredibly moody and dark. Perhaps we'll be revisiting locations from multiple games, including Outbreak.
And the trend of numeronyms in RE titles continues! #ResidentEvil
And the trend of numeronyms in RE titles continues! #ResidentEvil
June 7, 2025 at 8:19 AM
What a way to close the #SummerGameFest presentation! Takeuchi-san did say it was 'just another blink of the eye away'. Looks incredibly moody and dark. Perhaps we'll be revisiting locations from multiple games, including Outbreak.
And the trend of numeronyms in RE titles continues! #ResidentEvil
And the trend of numeronyms in RE titles continues! #ResidentEvil