A retronym is a new word or modifier that clarifies language changes, such as “analog clock” or “First World War.” The term comes from retro and -onym, and was coined by Frank Mankiewicz. Retronyms arise when old terms become obsolete, and can avoid confusion. Backronyms, acronyms formed in reverse order, are sometimes also called retronyms.
A retronym is a new clarifying word or modifier that arises in response to changes in a language. The best way to explain the retronym is to give an example. The widespread conflict that occurred between 1914-1918 is generally known as World War I, but this was not always the case. It was originally the “Great War,” but after another period of major conflict broke out in the 1940s, people started calling the Great War the First World War, to differentiate it from the Second World War. Another example of a retronym is the term “analog clock,” which arose in response to the creation of the digital clock.
The word comes from the Latin retro, for “behind”, and from the Greek -onym, for “name”. People may refer to a retronym as a “posterior formation,” referring to how it was coined. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell when a word is a retronym or not, thanks to the changing nature of language, and in other cases it is easy to identify a retronym.
The term “retronym” is believed to have been coined by Frank Mankiewicz, but noted New York Times reporter William Safire is responsible for bringing it to popular attention in the 1980s. In the 1990s, several dictionaries included “retronym”. Considering the rapid evolution that languages undergo, it makes sense to have a word to describe the neologisms used to describe old things.
The use of a retronym arises when the old term for something becomes obsolete, not specific enough, or just plain wrong, thanks to the evolution of language. Many retronyms consist of clarifiers designed to differentiate old and new forms of something, such as acoustic and electric guitars, or bars of soap and liquid soap. Using retronyms can ensure that people understand what you’re talking about, avoiding potential confusion.
People also sometimes use the term to describe backronyms, acronyms that come from the reverse order. For example, AIDS is a conventional acronym, which stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and is derived from the name of the disease. The “HELP” in Project HELP, on the other hand, is a backronym that has been formed by choosing a desired acronym and then crafting a custom organization name to match it. Many companies use backronyms to create specific associations with products and services.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
