# Graphing: Is There a Word for This?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphing-is-there-a-word-for-this/714020>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 2, 2015, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphing-is-there-a-word-for-this/714020 "2015-03-02T16:16:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2015, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphing-is-there-a-word-for-this/714020/1 "2015-03-02T16:16:01Z")

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I am drawing a blank, but I am sure there is a word to describe a type of graphs where multiple curves are shown on one set of axes? Each plot represents a specific scenario and are all shown together on one set of axes for ease of comparison.  
For one, a “family of curves” comes to mind, but I believe there may be a better term? Anyone?

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**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphing-is-there-a-word-for-this/714020/2 "2015-03-02T16:22:50Z")

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Maybe multiplot?

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**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2015, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphing-is-there-a-word-for-this/714020/3 "2015-03-02T16:31:21Z")

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“Multiple series plot” is how it would be described in most graphing programs that I know.

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**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2015, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graphing-is-there-a-word-for-this/714020/4 "2015-03-02T23:28:47Z")

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Spaghetti graph is the somewhat pejorative term, assuming I understand the OP properly.

Though I see wiki thinks that term refers to something else:

> **[Spaghetti plot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghetti_plot)**
>
> A spaghetti plot (also known as a spaghetti chart, spaghetti diagram, or spaghetti model) is a method of viewing data to visualize possible flows through systems. Flows depicted in this manner appear like noodles, hence the coining of this term. This method of statistics was first used to track routing through factories. Visualizing flow in this manner can reduce inefficiency within the flow of a system. In regards to animal populations and weather buoys drifting through the ocean, they ar Sp...

and here’s a blog post that discusses what I have in mind:

> **[strategies for avoiding the spaghetti graph — storytelling with data](https://www.storytellingwithdata.com/blog/2013/03/avoiding-spaghetti-graph)**
>
> It seems that I have a distaste for any chart type that has food in its title. My hatred of pie charts is well documented. Donuts are even worse. Here's another to add to the list: the spaghetti graph. They look like someone took a handful...