alphabet soup

American  

noun

1. a soup containing small noodles in the shapes of letters of the alphabet.

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Etymology

Origin of alphabet soup

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

The slide presentation Monday featured at least one use of new tech: an AI-generated image of alphabet soup, created by the firm’s treasurer, showing the many acronyms to describe complex liquidity regulations.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

It can be an alphabet soup of certifications under a professional’s name, but some of the more well-known certifications for a financial adviser include the Certified Financial Planner designation and the Chartered Financial Consultant designation.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 23, 2025

But the court’s answer, expected by July, will matter far beyond the job security of bureaucrats at boards and commissions with an alphabet soup of initials.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

Part of the reason for that delay was the need to get input from the alphabet soup of city departments that have control over the street.

From Slate • Nov. 2, 2024

SACKCLOTHANDASHES: Yeah, like leaving the letters in the alphabet soup before Mississippi and leading you to the minimall, you mean?

From "Paper Towns" by John Green