Synecdoche and Synecdoche and MetonymyMetonymy

English 11English 11

MetonymyMetonymy

- Pronounced: Meh-Ton-Ah-MePronounced: Meh-Ton-Ah-Me- Definition: A figure of speech in Definition: A figure of speech in

which one word or phrase is which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it substituted for another with which it is closely associated.is closely associated.

- Greek for “change of name”Greek for “change of name”- Ex: Golden arches or Rotten Ronnie’s Ex: Golden arches or Rotten Ronnie’s

or McDick’sor McDick’s

SynecdocheSynecdoche

-Pronounced: Sah-Neck-Duh-Key-Pronounced: Sah-Neck-Duh-Key

-Definition: A figure of speech by which -Definition: A figure of speech by which a part is put for the whole, or the a part is put for the whole, or the whole is put for a part.whole is put for a part.

-Greek for “shared understanding”-Greek for “shared understanding”

-Ex: ABC’s for Alphabet-Ex: ABC’s for Alphabet

The DifferenceThe Difference

Synecdoche is more specific.Synecdoche is more specific.Metonymy is more general.Metonymy is more general. If you can see the image as part of a If you can see the image as part of a

whole, then it is synecdoche.whole, then it is synecdoche. If the image is actually a whole thing If the image is actually a whole thing

and represents another whole thing, and represents another whole thing, it is metonymy.it is metonymy.

Naughty Metonymy PoemNaughty Metonymy Poem

Today I saw a sexy Today I saw a sexy skirtskirt

Strolling down the streetStrolling down the street

She had a lovely pair of She had a lovely pair of twinstwins

Bouncing to the beatBouncing to the beat

(“(“Skirt” is a metonym for “girl” or Skirt” is a metonym for “girl” or “woman”“woman”

““Twins” is a metonym for “boobs”)Twins” is a metonym for “boobs”)

By Alexandra MacDonald

Synecdoche or Metonymy?Synecdoche or Metonymy?Take thy Take thy face face hencehenceABC’sABC’sThe Crown’s case is solidThe Crown’s case is solidThe PentagonThe PentagonAll hands on deckAll hands on deckThe pen is mightier than the swordThe pen is mightier than the sword I asked for her hand in marriageI asked for her hand in marriageUncle Harvey’s back on the bottleUncle Harvey’s back on the bottleUncle Billybob’s a redneckUncle Billybob’s a redneck