30 Words Originated from People’s Names

by Daniel Scocco

First of all let me tell you: if you are not subscribed to Daily Writing Tips, you are missing some good stuff. Some months ago I decided to step back as the editor there, and to transfer all the editorial tasks to Maeve, our English Ph.D.. Well, she has been doing a terrific work with the daily posts.

In fact today she published a really good article titled 30 Words Inspired by 29 People and An Elephant. Check the introduction:

Many eponyms derive from deliberate choices to call a product, invention, or scientific discovery after the person most closely associated with it, for example: macadam, guillotine, pasteurisation.

Sometimes scientific terms are coined to honor a famous person or a friend, for example, watt, ohm, and dahlia.

Other eponyms derive from characters in fiction, mythology, or geographical locations, for example rambo, hermaphrodite, marathon.

Eponyms I find especially interesting are those that derive not from a deliberate naming process, but from distinctive associations with specific individuals.

Here are 30 eponyms that owe their existence to something–physical features, manner of dress, writing style, profession, or behavior–associated with specific people (and one elephant).

If you want to discover the 30 words that were inspired by 29 people and an elephant, just head to the full post. I am sure you will like it.

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8 Responses to “30 Words Originated from People’s Names”

Make Money on March 2nd, 2009 11:46 pm

What an interesting post definitely one of the most unique posts I have read in a while!
Alexg on March 3rd, 2009 12:33 am

Your link isnt pointing to “Daily Writing Tips”
Daniel Scocco on March 3rd, 2009 7:38 am

@Alexg, fixed it, thanks.
Aravind Jose T. on March 3rd, 2009 9:58 am

What a title !
Tyrone on March 3rd, 2009 10:39 am

Ya this is really a different and unique post that I have ever read.
Dean Saliba on March 3rd, 2009 7:29 pm

Very different and very unique! It was the title that caught my attention as well.
Alok on March 4th, 2009 6:10 am

Great article with a catchy title. Submitted to Mixx, it might even hit the front page, possibly.
sushi luvr on May 4th, 2009 7:12 am

Does this website tell you where words originated from?