Something my dad wants to know...
Forum rules
Please read the Forum rules and policies before posting.
Please read the Forum rules and policies before posting.
- Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
- Posts: 7517
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 6:25 pm
- Location: Here, where I am sitting!
- Contact:
Something my dad wants to know...
Well, he says it's been bugging him for ages, and I just thought it might be the kind of thing people here might know/be able to find out .
He wants to know the name given to the term when you use, like, the name of an inanimate object to describe a person or a group of people. For example, in court you don't say "the judge", you say "the bench", and at a meeting you refer to the person in charge as "the chair". The Prime Minister is sometimes referred to as "10 Downing Street" and the president of the USA is "The White House". That kind of thing.
Anyone know?
He wants to know the name given to the term when you use, like, the name of an inanimate object to describe a person or a group of people. For example, in court you don't say "the judge", you say "the bench", and at a meeting you refer to the person in charge as "the chair". The Prime Minister is sometimes referred to as "10 Downing Street" and the president of the USA is "The White House". That kind of thing.
Anyone know?
______________________________________________
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
- cowsmanaut
- Moo Master
- Posts: 4378
- Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2000 12:53 am
- Location: canada
- cowsmanaut
- Moo Master
- Posts: 4378
- Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2000 12:53 am
- Location: canada
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=metonymy
sounds close enough to me.
I've learned a new word today.. not sure how I would be using it.. but there it is
sounds close enough to me.
I've learned a new word today.. not sure how I would be using it.. but there it is
Re: Something my dad wants to know...
One description is: a body...Ameena wrote:a group of people.
- Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
- Posts: 7517
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 6:25 pm
- Location: Here, where I am sitting!
- Contact:
Whee thought that would spark off a lot of replies, lol. I think Cow/Zyx have it but I'll have to show my dad and see if that's what he meant lol.
Thanks peeps
Thanks peeps
______________________________________________
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Metonymy is correct. I can get you another definition from my "handbook of literary terms" if you want, along with the name of the opposite term (part for whole vs. whole for part). I had to study these terms when I was participating in the UIL Literary Criticism contest in high school (is my nerdiness coming through yet?) and I kept the dictionary of terms we used because it's an interesting read.
- cowsmanaut
- Moo Master
- Posts: 4378
- Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2000 12:53 am
- Location: canada
- cowsmanaut
- Moo Master
- Posts: 4378
- Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2000 12:53 am
- Location: canada