What is an epithet?

The meaning of epithets in the English language

An epithet refers to a nickname or phrase that is associated with a specific noun: an individual, a setting, or an object. The goal of an epithet is to summarize a figure or a place into a descriptive title while giving a vivid meaning to what’s being described.

Stemming from the Greek word for “attribution,” the word “epithet” might seem like a tricky word to spell or pronounce. To pronounce “epithet” correctly, break the word down to its three syllables:

• “ep” as in “step”
• “i” as in “it”
• “thet” as in “bet” with a “th” sound

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Common examples of epithets

Epithets can refer to anything: people, places, things, fictitious characters, or real-life figures. Many epithets take the form of royal titles, especially when applied to celebrities and athletes, to encompass their world-class status. By comparison, rulers can earn epithets through their deeds or reputation. Some of the most common epithets for famous people include:

• “The King of Pop” for Michael Jackson
• “The Sultan of Swat” for Babe Ruth
• “Ivan the Terrible” for Tsar Ivan IV Vasilyevich

Don’t forget fictional characters, too:

• “Man of Steel” for Superman
• “The Dark Knight” for Batman
• “The Clown Prince of Crime” for The Joker

Certain objects can also take on epithets. Sometimes these can even come in the form of advertising slogans:

• “The Good Word” for the Bible
• “The Quicker Picker Upper” for paper towels
• “The Breakfast of Champions” for cereal

Other epithets can describe locations with nicknames that are indelibly linked to their history and spirit. For example:

• “The Big Apple” or “Gotham” for New York City
• “The City of Lights” for Paris
• “Land of the Rising Sun” for Japan

Epithets frequently appear in literature, both in poetry, prose, and mythological legends, and are especially effective for describing landscapes or gods.

• “Wine-dark sea” for the ocean (in The Odyssey)
• “A great sweet mother” for the sea (in Ulysses)
• “The god of lightning” for Zeus

Types of epithets

Epithets can be positive or negative when describing an entity, and there are many examples of aggressive or derogatory epithets in modern rhetoric.

However, epithets are effective in persuading an audience, adding emotional weight to a story, or evoking a mood. Three types of epithets include the following:

• Kenning: a type of epithet that uses a two-word phrase as a metaphor to describe an entity. (The aforementioned “wine-dark” is a kenning used to describe the ocean.)
• Fixed: the repeated use of a word or phrase to describe the same person, place, or thing, often used in epic literature like Homer’s Odyssey (where Odysseus is “many-minded,” and his wife Penelope is described as “prudent”).
• Argumentative: these are used in debate to sway the audience or create bias, such as accusing a politician of “reckless spending” and warning of “dire consequences.”

Is an epithet the same as an epitaph?

These two words appear to be similar, come from Greek roots, and describe brief phrases of text. However, an epitaph (which comes from the Greek for “funeral oration”) is a tribute inscribed on a gravestone in honor of the person buried and is usually positive in nature. By comparison, an epithet is used everywhere and can possess both positive and negative meanings.

Understanding this dual nature of epithets can help you be more persuasive in your argumentative writing. Check out more tips for injecting creativity into your work.