Date: Wed, 5 Apr 1995 19:09:24 -0500

From: Natalie Maynor maynor[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]RA.MSSTATE.EDU

Subject: Re: names to nouns



I'm not sure what you mean by "converse." When someone or something is

given a name for "the name's sake," even when that name is an eponym or

toponym, it is still a "namesake" naming: Nevada Smith, "in a New York

minute," Pecos Bill, Tex Ritter.



If Little George is named for Uncle George, Little George is Uncle

George's namesake. Is Uncle George Little George's eponym? Say Little

George doesn't meet Uncle George until he's ten years old. When they

meet, you might say to Uncle George, "I'm happy to introduce you to your

namesake." Would you say to Little George, "I'm happy to introduce you

to your eponym"?

--Natalie (maynor[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ra.msstate.edu)