Metonyms: Substitute Names Based on Association

Metonymy is a figure of speech consisting of the substitution of the name of one thing for that of another with which the substitute is associated. The substitute name is a metonym.

For example, in the phrase "lands belonging to the crown," "crown" is a metonym for "king." A crown (a royal headdress) is closely associated with a king; therefore, "crown" can figuratively substitute for "king."

The English word metonymy goes back through Latin metonymia to Greek metonymia, from meta- ("after, beyond, changed") and -onymon ("-onym," that is, "name, word").

Metonyms, despite the fancy name, are actually quite common. Even the Bible uses them. For example: "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread" (Genesis 3:19). "Sweat" represents that with which it is closely associated, "hard work."

"Strawberries and cream are my favorite dish." A dish is associated with its contents. Therefore, "dish" is a metonym for "food."

"She spent the evening reading Shakespeare." The author, of course, is associated with his writings. Here "Shakespeare" subtitutes for "Shakespeare's writings."

"Lend me your ear." In this example, "ear" is a metonym for "attention" because the ear is used to pay attention to someone else, hence the real meaning, "lend me your attention."

"He ogled the skirt at the next table." A skirt is associated with a woman. In this example, "skirt" figuratively substitutes for "woman."

Hellbent for leather refers to riding on horseback and means "moving at breakneck speed." In this expression, "leather" is metonymic for "saddle," typically made of leather.

"He spoke in some foreign tongue." The tongue is the organ of articulated language. Metonymically, "tongue" stands for "language."

"You can't fight city hall." City hall, literally just a building, is associated with the powerful figures exercising their authority over other people from the offices within the building. Here "city hall" is a metonym for all the powers of "city officialdom and bureaucracy."