diff --git a/scopes/util.py b/scopes/util.py
index a3d637c..52f353d 100644
--- a/scopes/util.py
+++ b/scopes/util.py
@@ -5,6 +5,23 @@ import hashlib
 from secrets import choice
 import string
 
+# symbols and keywords
+
+class Symbol(str):
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        return f'<Symbol "{self}">'
+
+class Symbols:
+
+    def __getattr__(self, k):
+        sym = Symbol(k)
+        setattr(self, k, sym)
+        return sym
+
+keywords = Symbols()
+
+
 # random strings, hashes, encodings
 # for authentication, encryption, and other purposes
 
diff --git a/tests/test_util.py b/tests/test_util.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc2c0f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_util.py
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# py-scopes: tests.test_util
+
+"""Tests for scopes.util package"""
+
+import pytest
+
+from scopes.util import keywords as k
+
+def test_keywords():
+    assert k.dummy is k.dummy
+    assert k.dummy is not k.other
+    assert getattr(k, "abcd"[-2:]) is k.cd
+