Antonomasia (also called commonization) is a minor word formation process in which a proper name enters the language as a common noun, i.e. it ceases to be capitalized. For example, the common noun sideburns comes from the name of an American general Ambrase E. Burnsides who sported a set of side whiskers. Or Antonomasia is process when a personal, a plce name or a broad name addaptes a new meaning ussually reffering to common noun related to the proper noun.
Antonomasia (pronounced
an-tuh-nuh–mey-zhuh) is a literary term in which a descriptive phrase
replaces a person’s name. Antonomasia can range from lighthearted
nicknames to epic names.
The
phrase antonomasia is derived from the Greek phrase antonomazein meaning
“to name differently.”
Examples
of Antonomasia
Oftentimes,
antonomasia is used to call attention to a certain characteristic.
Example 1
Imagine
that you have a friend who is a fantastic chef, and you want to say hello.
Normal
sentence:
“Oh,
look! Sam’s arrived!”
Sentence
with Antonomasia:
“Oh,
look! The great chef has arrived!”
Here,
the use of antonomasia allows you to greet your friend with a nickname which
also reveals something about his character: he’s a great
chef.
Example
2
For
another example, consider that you have a grumpy teacher:
Normal
sentence:
“He’s
grumpy, boring, doesn’t want to listen to anyone, and definitely doesn’t want
to help anyone.”
Sentence
with Antonomasia:
“Mr.
Grumps doesn’t want to listen to anyone, and definitely doesn’t want to
help anyone.”
Replacing
the teacher’s actual name with his defining characteristic, grumpiness, serves
to highlight just how much the mood is associated with the man.
The
importance of using Antonomasia
Antonomasia
can provide someone with a strong epithet which further
celebrates and memorializes their great deeds. In advertising and pop culture,
such wording can also further celebrate the famous, such as The Beatles as “The
Fab Four.”
Uses
for antonomasia vary slightly depending on the time period. In the past,
ntonomasia would be used to designate class members, as oftentimes people’s
names were linked to their professions. Antonomasia was also used in the past
to give positive names to strong warriors and negative names to weak or nasty
people.
Here
are a few examples of antonomasia in the past:
- Aristotle as “The Philosopher”
- Winston Churchill as “The Great Commoner”
- William Shakespeare as “The Bard”
In
this way, the past is similar to the present, as we tend to use antonomasia
purely for enjoyment and fun with nicknames.
Examples
of Antonomasia in Literature
Antonomasia
is important in literature, as it can tell more about characters just by their
titles. Consider a few examples:
Example 1
One
instance of antonomasia is the treatment of Voldemort in J.K.Rowling’s Harry
Potter Series. Rather than calling the dangerous man by name, all must call
him “You-Know-Who” or “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.” This usage of antonomasia
emphasizes just how dangerous the man is, as most wizards and witches are too
afraid to say his actual name aloud.
Example 2
Another
example of antonomasia is in Mary Shelley’s Victor Frankenstein’s inability to
give the monster a true name is apparent in his constant use of antonomasia:
- “I beheld the wretch—the miserable monster whom I had created”
- “the approach of the demoniacal corpse to which I had so miserably given life”
- “Devil, do you dare approach me?”
- “Begone, vile insect!”
Frankenstein’s
creation is never given a name, and instead is given countless instances of
antonomasia which show Frankenstein’s inability to accept his creation.
Examples
of Antonomasia in Pop Culture
Antonomasia
is rampant in pop culture, for who doesn’t like a good nickname?
Example 1
Consider
the following pop stars and their antonomasia:
- Michael Jackson as “The King of Pop”
- Madonna as “The Queen of Pop”
- Oma Irama as “ the King of Dangdot”
- Syah Rini as “Miss Cetar Membaha”
- Veni Rose as “ Mrs Rumpi”
- Kihajar Dewantara as Bapak pendidikan Indonesia.
Conclusion
Antonomasia
provides characters with more exciting names and nicknames which reflect
certain characteristics, feats, or professions. Although we witness serious and
royal antonomasia less often these days, we still use antonomasia in the form
of nicknames on a daily bas
