epithet
noun

- a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing.

- an adjective added to a person's name or a phrase used instead of it, usually to criticize or praise them.

- an adjective or phrase used to describe somebody/something's character or most important quality, especially to give praise or criticism.

Merriam-Webster, Cambridge Dictionary, Oxford Learner's Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

The word "epithet" entered English around 1570-80 from Middle French épithète, which came from Latin epithetum/epitheton, borrowed from Ancient Greek epítheton (ἐπίθετον).

The Greek epítheton literally means "something added" and comes from the verb epitithénai (ἐπιτίθημι), meaning "to put on" or "to add," composed of epi- (ἐπι-, meaning "upon" or "in addition") + títhēmi (τίθημι, meaning "to put" or "to place").

Epithets originated to serve the purpose of dealing with names that were hard to pronounce or just unpleasant, functioning as glorified nicknames.

Nowadays epithet is usually used with the meaning "a disparaging word or phrase," but historically it was neutral.

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LABELS THAT LAST

Epithets bring characters to life—think "Richard the Lionheart," "Bloody Mary," or Churchill as "The British Bulldog." These labels stick with us and give stories lasting colour. In everyday life, we use epithets almost without noticing: maybe a colleague is "the detail guy," or a neighbour becomes "that dog lady." Epithets are shortcuts, but like all shortcuts, they can help or harm. A positive epithet such as "Alexander the Great" transforms someone into a legend, while a negative one can damage a reputation before a person even arrives.,..“Ethelred the Unready” was remembered for his poor leadership and indecisiveness.

Writers have known this power for centuries. Homer, 3,000 years ago, gave his heroes epithets they could never shake: “Swift-footed Achilles” and “Clever Odysseus” weren’t just descriptions—they were essential to identity. Not much has changed in the modern world. Politicians hurl epithets at rivals, hoping one will stick: Donald Trump repeatedly called President Joe Biden “Sleepy Joe.”

We tend to remember epithets better than actual names. Someone’s real name might fade from memory, but we never forget “The guy who always complained” or “The woman with the infectious laugh.”

Helga & Paul Smith

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SYNONYMS


appellation, byname, cognomen, denomination, designation, descriptive tag, EPITHET, honorific, label, moniker, nickname, sobriquet, tag, title

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SMUGGLE
 OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“It’s interesting that the EPITHET ‘Bloody Mary’ became a famous cocktail.”

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P L E A S E   S U P P O R T   O W A D