retronym

American  

[re-truh-nim] / ˈrɛ trə nɪm /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of retronym

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

Explanation

Use the noun retronym to describe a new word or phrase that's needed to distinguish between two versions of something, like the term "acoustic guitar," which wasn't necessary until electric guitars were invented. We don't need retronyms until new versions of old things come along, like digital clocks or microwave ovens. Before their invention, people used the words clock and oven, and everyone knew what they were talking about. The retronyms analog clock and conventional oven help clarify things now that there are newer types of clocks and ovens. Retronym combines the Latin retro, "backward," with nym, from the Greek onoma, or "name."