How Do You Spell RETRONYM?

Pronunciation: [ɹˌɛtɹə͡ʊnˈɪm] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "retronym" is derived from the Greek prefix - retro- (meaning "backward") and the suffix -nym (meaning "name"). In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled /ˈrɛtrəˌnɪm/, with the accent placed on the second syllable. A retronym is a neologism that is created to differentiate two similar objects or concepts that were not previously differentiated, typically in response to technological or societal changes. Examples include "acoustic guitar" (differentiated from "electric guitar") and "analog clock" (differentiated from "digital clock").

RETRONYM Meaning and Definition

1. A retronym is a linguistic term used to describe a particular type of word creation and modification wherein a new term is coined to differentiate between the original word and a newer variation or development of that word. It is a compound word combining "retro," meaning backward or referring to the past, and "nym," derived from the Greek word for name. In essence, a retronym is a new term created to label or identify an original word when a more specific or updated version of that word becomes available.

   Retronyms are typically introduced to avoid confusion or ambiguity caused by changes or advancements in technology, culture, language, or concepts. They are used to distinguish between the original concept or object and a more recent version or alternative. For example, the retronym "acoustic guitar" emerged after the invention of the electric guitar, to differentiate it from its newer counterpart. Similarly, the term "snail mail" was coined in response to the advent of email, to distinguish traditional postal mail from electronic communications.

   Retronyms are important in language as they clarify meaning and context, ensuring effective communication between speakers in a rapidly evolving world. They reflect the evolution of language and the need to accommodate societal and technological changes. Retronyms are useful tools to ensure precision in language, preventing confusion and ambiguity when referring to specific variations or developments of words.

Common Misspellings for RETRONYM

• detronym
• fetronym
• tetronym
• 5etronym
• 4etronym
• rwtronym
• rstronym
• rdtronym
• rrtronym
• r4tronym
• r3tronym
• rerronym
• refronym
• regronym
• reyronym
• re6ronym
• re5ronym
• reteonym
• retdonym
• retfonym

Etymology of RETRONYM

The word "retronym" was coined in 1980 by Frank Mankiewicz, an American political and media consultant, in an article titled "When Silents Were Golden" for the magazine "The Atlantic". The term combines the prefix "retro-" which means "backward" or "in the past" with the suffix "-nym" which means "name" or "word".

Mankiewicz invented the term to describe a new linguistic concept, where a new term is created to distinguish an old concept from a new one that arises later. He used the example of "acoustic guitar" being a retronym necessary to differentiate from the newly invented "electric guitar".