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Retronym Noun A retronym is a newer name for an existing thing that differentiates the original form/version from a more recent one. It is thus a word or phrase created to avoid confusion between two types, whereas previously (before there was more than one type), no clarification was required. The term retronym, a neologism composed of the combining forms retro- (from Latin retro , "before") + -nym (from Greek ónoma, “name”), was coined by Frank Mankiewicz around 1980 Advances in technology are often responsible for the coinage of retronyms. For example, the term "acoustic guitar" was coined with the advent of electric guitars; analog watches were renamed to distinguish them from digital watches once the latter were invented. A nostalgic journey to 50-plussers since we have lived through these changes, and chuckle as we have to specify what we now mean. Fun examples – can you contribute some more ? Analog watch Film camera Desktop computer Brick-and-mortar store Electric guitar Conventional oven Silent movie Paperback book Manual toothbrush Birth mother Snail mail Time stamps ( Gen Z's might not even know what postage stamps are !!! )
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