alphabetitis

English

Etymology

From alphabet +‎ -itis.

Noun

alphabetitis (uncountable)

1. Mental weariness or lassitude brought about by an excessive exposure to letters, lettering, or acronyms
   • 1741, General Magazine and Historical Chronicle: Vol. XLIV Numb. I.:

     "You handle the alphabet like a veteran New Dealer" — To which I answered — "God forbid," He continued — "If the audience can survive that attack of 'alphabetitis' they can stand anything."

   • 1908, The New England Magazine - Volume 37:

     A case of alphabetitis—or algebritis.

   • 1944, The Rotarian - Vol. 64, No. 1:

     Chemists, you see, are also affected with "alphabetitis."

   • 1965, Robert K. Merton, On the Shoulders of Giants:

     Yet I must not violate the sense of our Aphorism by pretending for even a moment that this puny seizure of alphabetitis is peculiar to our own time.