Word of the Day: Anachronism

by Daniel Scocco

Anachronism (ə-năk’rə-nĭz’əm) is the placing of a person or thing out of its natural chronological or historical time. Putting a written book in a prehistoric movie, therefore, would be considered an anachronism. Notice that in poetry and other arts anachronisms can appear both deliberately and accidentally.

The filibuster, which seems more and more an anachronism in the age of television, grew out of the practice of virtually unlimited debate that early members of Congress designed to prevent majorities from silencing minority voices. (NY Times)

At a party once I was quite fiercely attacked by a don’s wife on the theme of “the women’s page is an anachronism.” (The Guardian)

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One Response to “Word of the Day: Anachronism”

  1. Mario J. Sacripante on December 12, 2008 6:47 pm

    The above excerpt from “The Guardian” seems to lack a comma after “At a party once…” Can we confirm this for curiosity’s sake?

    Mario

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