retronym

Definition | Meaning:

  1. A new category name developed in response to the development of another new category name, in order to avoid confusion as the result of a cultural or technological change.

Example | Illustration:

  • ‘acoustic guitar’ in response to ‘electric guitar’
  • ‘analog watch’ in response to ‘digital watch’
  • ‘live performance’ in response to ‘pre-recorded performance’
  • ‘real cream’ in response to ‘non-dairy creamer’
  • ‘snail-mail’ in response to ‘e-mail’
  • ‘whole milk’ in response to ‘skim milk’