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Day 206: Use retronyms for clarity.

A retronym is a word with a modifier that is necessary to indicate the original meaning of the word when changes in language use make the original meaning unclear. That’s a complicated definition. Perhaps I should provide a few examples.

Regular coffee is a retronym for coffee. Originally, all coffee was regular coffee. Only one type of coffee existed. Now we have decaffeinated coffee, light coffee, dark coffee, and other types of coffee. We use the retronym regular coffee to indicate the original type of coffee. If you only write coffee, the reader won’t know exactly what you mean.

Straight razor is a retronym for razor. Originally, all razors were long blades with a handle. Only one type of razor existed. Now we have safety razors, disposable safety razors, and electric razors. We have to use the term straight razor to indicate the original type of razor. If you only write razor, the reader won’t know exactly what you mean.

Here are a few more retronyms: acoustic guitar, regular soda, a.m. radio, whole milk, silent film, biological parent, cloth diaper, and film camera.

Here’s the point. When you write clearly, the reader will know what you mean. If new developments obscure the meanings of terms, use retronyms as needed to express your ideas.