anachronym
English
Etymology
Blend of anachronous + acronym.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /əˈnæk.ɹə.nɪm/
- Rhymes: -ækɹənɪm
- Homophone: anacronym
Noun
anachronym (plural anachronyms)
- Synonym of backronym
- Hypernym: folk etymology
- A term which is used in an anachronous way, by referring to something in a way that is appropriate only for a former or later time. A type of misnomer. Misnomers are not necessarily incorrect; for example, chalk for a chalkboard is normatively called chalk despite it not being made of chalk.
- Hypernym: misnomer
Usage notes
Do not confuse an anachronym (such as lead pencil or tin foil) with an anacronym (such as radar or scuba), despite the homophony of the terms.