Word of the Day

: December 6, 2024

ambigram

noun AM-buh-gram

What It Means

An ambigram is an image of a written word or phrase that is intended or able to be oriented in either of two ways for viewing or reading.

// Angel started taking calligraphy classes to learn how to create ambigrams and other fun designs that can be read both upside down and right side up.

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ambigram in Context

“... when spelled out in the sand, SOS is conveniently readable as an ambigram—readable both right-side-up and upside-down.” — Wendee Wendt, Parade Magazine, 8 June 2024

Did You Know?

There is little ambiguity about the origins of the word ambigram—it was introduced by cognitive scientist Douglas R. Hofstadter in his 1985 book Metamagical Themas: Questing for the Essence of Mind and Pattern, in which he wrote of the “pleasing activity of doing ambigrams, where shapes must be concocted that are poised exactly at the midpoint between two interpretations.” Since then, ambigram has been used primarily to refer to an image of a written word or phrase that either forms the same word or a different word when reflected or turned upside down. For instance, when reflected, bud turns into dub, while Malayalam reads the same both ways. And when turned upside down, swims reads the same, while wow turns into mom. Some ambigrams are natural (such as dollop), while others can be designed or created with calligraphy. Calligraphic ambigrams are quite popular and are often used as logos or tattoo designs.