來自拉丁語 rebus,事物，實物，來自 res 的離格形式，來自 res,事情，事物，詞源同 real.后用 于指一種圖形字謎游戲。比較 omnibus,來自拉丁語 omnis 的與格形式。
英文詞源
rebus (n.)
c. 1600, from Latin rebus "by means of objects," ablative plural of res "thing, object." According to French sources, principally from the phrase de rebus qu? geruntur "of things which are going on," in reference to the satirical pieces composed by Picardy clerks at carnivals, subtle satires of current events using pictures to suggest words, phrases or things. Or it may be from the representations being non verbis sed rebus "not by words, but by things." In either case from Latin res "thing."
雙語例句
1. A picture of a cat on a log is a rebus for catalog.
謎畫中有一只貓(cat) 站在一塊木頭(alog)上,謎底是catalog( 目錄).
來自《現代英漢綜合大詞典》
2. Most people know a sort of puzzle called rebus.