Riddle: I make things short, but I am quite long as a word myself. What am I?

Introduction / Context:
This is a classic word riddle that plays with meaning and self reference. The riddle describes something that “makes things short” but is itself “pretty long”. The challenge is to think of a word that fits both the literal description and the playful paradox, which is very common in English language puzzles and verbal reasoning tests.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The subject of the riddle makes other things shorter.
• Despite that, the subject is “pretty long” as a word.
• We are dealing with a word or concept related to language and shortening.
• The answer choices include “Abbreviation”, “Summary”, “Scissors”, and “Eraser”.

Concept / Approach:
Abbreviations are shortened forms of longer words or phrases. For example, “kg” is an abbreviation for “kilogram” and “etc.” is an abbreviation for “et cetera”. The very purpose of an abbreviation is to make something shorter. At the same time, the word “abbreviation” itself is long, with many letters. This makes it a perfect self referential answer to the riddle.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note the key clue: the thing in question makes other things short. Step 2: Think of language related tools that shorten words or phrases, such as abbreviations, acronyms, or contractions. Step 3: Check which of the options both shortens other words and is long as a word itself. “Abbreviation” clearly fits because it shortens phrases and is a multi syllable, long word. Step 4: Confirm that no other option satisfies both clues as precisely as “Abbreviation”.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can test each option. “Summary” makes texts shorter, but the word itself is not especially long compared with “Abbreviation”. “Scissors” and “Eraser” physically cut or remove, but the riddle is more about language, and they are not primarily about shortening written expressions. “Abbreviation” is widely used in grammar and note making and is a long word which frequently appears in such riddles, confirming it as the most suitable answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“Summary” does represent shortening a text, but the self referential joke about being “pretty long myself” is associated more famously with “Abbreviation”. “Scissors” cut objects, not words, and “Eraser” removes writing rather than making it shorter in a structured way. These options are distractors and do not capture both aspects of the riddle as accurately as “Abbreviation”.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to focus only on the idea of shortening and choose “Summary” without noticing the second clue about the answer being a long word. Riddles often rely on exact wording, so both conditions must be satisfied. Always re read the riddle and ensure every part of the clue matches the chosen answer.

Final Answer:
The word that makes things short but is itself long is Abbreviation.