Kiss

The KISS principle is a popular maxim often invoked when discussing a design process as a reminder to avoid the unnecessary complexity that can arise during the design process. The traditional expansion of this acronym is "Keep it Simple, Stupid". more...

Alternative expansions

Maybe because of the implied irreverence (or blatant insult, depending on perception), the acronym is rarely explained. Where concerns over the word "stupid" exist, a euphemistic explanation of "Keep It Simple and Straightforward" is sometimes resorted to. Other common expansions include:

• "Keep It Super Simple";
• "Keep It Simple, Sweetie", gentler, or perhaps more patronising;
• "Keep It Small and Simple";
• "Keep It Simple, Smartguy";
• "Keep It Simple and Stupid", often used when discussing artificial intelligence;
• "Keep It Small and Scalable", often used when discussing IT;
• "Keep It Short and Simple", a common marketing maxim for sales presentations;
• "Keep It Short and Sweet";
• "Keep It Simple and Sweet";
• "Keep It Simple, Keep It Stupid", which produces the acronym KISKIS;
• "Keep It Simple; Make It Fun", a term used in scouting)
• "Keep It Spiritual; Make It Fun", variation used in the Camp Lu-Jo KISMIF slogan
• "Keep It Stupidly Simple";
• "Keep It Simple, Silly", another kinder phrasing;
• "Keep It Stupid, Simple", the joking version;
• "Keep It Simple, Shithead", the dysphemistic version.

Or the long KISSSS:

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