retronym

[ re-truh-nim ]

noun

1. a term coined in modification of an original term that was used alone (as acoustic guitar instead of guitar ) to distinguish it from a term referring to a later development (as electric guitar ). Other examples of retronyms are snail mail and analog watch .

Word History and Origins

Origin of retronym¹

1980, Americanism; retro- + (-o)nym; coined by Frank Mankiewicz, U.S. journalist