Trying to understand a new word

[burgunder]

My Word Master Friends,

SYNECDOCHE

Is Kleenex a synecdoche of facial tissues?

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the definition and its use. I discovered it in Longitude by Dava Sobel, and in a context that was unrevealing to me.

If the above is not a proper use of it, can you give me a sentence that is?

Thank you!

Comments

[marc17]

"eponyms" or "brand eponym" seems to be the answer.

Synecdoche does not seem to be the answer as defined as the items are not being described as a part of the item.

[savannarama]

I agree. Kleenex is not part of facial tissue, nor is facial tissue part of Kleenex. Eponym does seem right.

I hadn't heard a word describing the synecdoche concept before; pretty cool.

[savannarama]

Although "the species for the genus (as cutthroat for assassin)" is arguable. Kleenex could be seen as a species of facial tissue. However, Kleenex is constantly used as a perfect example of the eponym, like "Band-aid" (which is not all bandages, but has become a word for all bandages).

Most of the definition of synecdoche seems focused on parts vs. whole, though.

[sculptruth]

Yes!

Just like people say "Coke" for any soft drink (not common I suppose, but I've known a few). Or "Hobart" for any upright mixer (common in restaurants). "Wheels" for car. "Threads" for clothes.

Somewhere in here there's a clever joke about politicians, but I haven't had enough coffee to get there from here.

I need more Starbucks in my Synecdoche.

[sculptruth]

Metonym, sure; I'm dubious about eponym. It's generalising to use proprietary terms like "coke" or "hobart" or "aspirin" but I think that it's nonetheless a valid example of the word in question.

[burgunder]

I think, based on Savannah's later comment, that eponyms (metronyms? Oh dear gods, I didn't sign up for 3 new words! Just 1! -laugh- ) might be a subset of synecdoches. Cutthroat can refer to assassin, by the Merriam-Webster definition, which I think is the same idea as the Kleenex for facial tissue example...

When even a grammatical definition is open to debate, I think it's fair to say the parent language is INSANE! :) Silly silly crazy silly English.

[a_muse_d]

gesundheit.

[bellanorth]

Being a brand name, I don't think Kleenex is a good example. But those folks who ask for aspirin when they want any OTC pain reliever (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen)? That's an example of synecdoche.