pseudonymity

Pseudonymity is the state of using or being published under a pseudonym—a false or fictitious name, especially one used by an author.

There are many reasons an author may choose to use a pseudonym instead of their own name, such as to avoid controversy or to create a persona. Many women authors throughout history have used a male or gender-neutral pseudonym to get their work published due to bias against women writers. A famous example is Mary Ann Evans, who used the pseudonym George Eliot.

The word pseudonymity is also used in the context of online communication that involves users identifying themselves with names other than their real names.

Example: The pseudonymity of some online platforms can make it difficult to tell the difference between bots and real users.

The first records of the word pseudonymity come from the 1870s. It ultimately comes from the Greek pseudṓnymon, meaning “false name.” The prefix pseudo- means “false,” and -onym means “name” (it can also mean “word,” and is used in words like synonym and acronym). The suffix -ity indicates a state or condition and is used the same way in anonymity.

What’s the difference between pseudonymity and anonymity? Anonymity is the state of being anonymous—completely unknown or unidentifiable. Anonymity can be achieved by using a pseudonym, but pseudonymity doesn’t necessarily mean that someone is completely unknown. For example, some authors are more popularly known by their pseudonyms (Mark Twain) than their real names (Samuel Langhorne Clemens).

What are some other forms related to pseudonymity?

• pseudonym (noun)
• pseudonymous (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with pseudonymity? 

• anonymous
• pseudoscience
• synonym
• antonym
• acronym

What are some words that often get used in discussing pseudonymity?

• anonymity
• pen name
• nom de plume
• alias
• name
• false
• fake
• fictitious
• identity
• author
• writer
• publish
• book
• novel
• authorship

The word pseudonymity is most often associated with writers who use pseudonyms.

Why the ‘Reclaim Her Name’ project, republishing female authors without their pen names, misunderstands pseudonymity and anonymity (@KatyaTaylor) https://t.co/JmGc2rBcDj

— The TLS (@TheTLS) August 17, 2020

Another thing about Twitter is thanks to pseudonymity and virality, a 14-year-old saying "Stalin did nothing wrong" can get a New York Times level of public attention and exposure from people who never stop to think about whether they're reading a 14-year-old edgelord kid.

— Noah Smith 🐇 (@Noahpinion) August 17, 2020

#Pseudonymity is a concept that will be organically implemented through tech across most fields of knowledge given that it checks all the incentives removing social nuances and ad hominems, leaving only the useful stuff on the table, and an adress to pay for it.

— Listener (@trashlisten) August 11, 2020

True or False? 

Pseudonymity and anonymity always mean the same exact thing.