1. CaptMacheath1728

    CaptMacheath1728 New Member

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    Eponymous adjectives

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by CaptMacheath1728, May 22, 2015.

    Hi,

    Does anyone know if there are any "standards" on creating eponymous adjectives? By eponymous adjectives, I mean words like:
    • Shakespearean (from William Shakespeare)
    • Platonic (from Plato)
    • Maoist (from Mao Zedong)
    • sadistic (from Marquis de Sade)
    • Thomist (from Thomas Aquinas)
    There seems to be no rhyme or reason for making adjectives from names; can anyone enlighten me, or is it mostly a matter of creating a word that sounds right on a name-to-name basis?

    Thanks! :)
     
  2. BayView

    BayView Huh. Interesting. Contributor

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    I think it's just what sounds good.
     
    peachalulu likes this.
  3. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Lets not leave -esque and -ific out of the game as possible suffixes. :)
     
    peachalulu likes this.
  4. BrianIff

    BrianIff I'm so piano, a bad punctuator. Contributor

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    They should be popular enough to the general public. Second, they are clear about what they denote. And three, they fit well in the context where they are used.
     
  5. Unit7

    Unit7 Contributor Contributor

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    That is so Wreybiesque of you. Hmm Wreybific? Though I don't really know what that means. Just couldn't resist trying to make your username one.

    Anyways I think it really is whatever sounds best. I mean you really are just making up a word only with people having a general idea as to what you mean with it.
     

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