# Quick Q: What's the word I'm looking for? I thought it was simile, but I was wrong. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 18, 2004, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-q-whats-the-word-im-looking-for-i-thought-it-was-simile-but-i-was-wrong/275511 "2004-11-18T18:59:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Duderdude2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Duderdude2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duderdude2)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-q-whats-the-word-im-looking-for-i-thought-it-was-simile-but-i-was-wrong/275511/1 "2004-11-18T18:59:46Z")
Is there a word that means something as a substitution for something else (horribile definition, I know)? I thought there was a word available that would match the context I’m trying to fit it in. Here’s the passage where it would ideally go, replacing the part in bold: “Without forehand knowledge, these supposed **identical sayings** are simply jargon that veil the passage’s true meaning” At first I thought “similes” would work, but upon reading the definition, it seems I was incorrect. Does a word even exist that fits my example? I could have sworn so, but then again, I’m an idiot. I thank anyone in advance who can make sense of what I wrote. ---
**Author:** ![jebert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ec9cab/32.png) [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-q-whats-the-word-im-looking-for-i-thought-it-was-simile-but-i-was-wrong/275511/2 "2004-11-18T19:02:18Z")
Metaphor? ---
**Author:** ![Stringer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Stringer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringer)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-q-whats-the-word-im-looking-for-i-thought-it-was-simile-but-i-was-wrong/275511/3 "2004-11-18T19:07:07Z")
Synonym? ---
**Author:** ![KP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a9adbd/32.png) [@KP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KP)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-q-whats-the-word-im-looking-for-i-thought-it-was-simile-but-i-was-wrong/275511/4 "2004-11-18T19:10:21Z")
Is it possible you meant to say “synonyms”? When I write, similar sounding words often displace the correct word, leaving me permanently unable to pull up the term I intended (in that one passage). Is there a word for _ **that** _ undoubtedly common phenomenon? ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-q-whats-the-word-im-looking-for-i-thought-it-was-simile-but-i-was-wrong/275511/5 "2004-11-18T19:10:38Z")
Euphemisms. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-q-whats-the-word-im-looking-for-i-thought-it-was-simile-but-i-was-wrong/275511/6 "2004-11-18T19:11:46Z")
In place of the phrase “supposed identical sayings”, that is. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-q-whats-the-word-im-looking-for-i-thought-it-was-simile-but-i-was-wrong/275511/7 "2004-11-18T19:16:40Z")
If you’re referring to single words, **synonyms**. If, as “identical sayings” indicates, that is not the case, I can’t think of a single word to convey the meaning. How about **synonymous phrases/sayings/mottos/proverbs/etc.**? **Equivalent** could be used in place of **synonymous** if they aren’t really identical. With either “synonymous” or “equivalent,” change “supposed” to “supposedly” since it’s now modifying an adjective rather than a noun. ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-q-whats-the-word-im-looking-for-i-thought-it-was-simile-but-i-was-wrong/275511/8 "2004-11-18T19:20:26Z")
Synecdoche? > [@](#): > > syn·ec·do·che ( P ) Pronunciation Key (s-nkd-k) > n. > > ``` > A figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole (as hand for sailor), the whole for a part (as the law for police officer), the specific for the general (as cutthroat for assassin), the general for the specific (as thief for pickpocket), or the material for the thing made from it (as steel for sword). > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![MMI](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@MMI](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MMI)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-q-whats-the-word-im-looking-for-i-thought-it-was-simile-but-i-was-wrong/275511/9 "2004-11-18T19:27:42Z")
Either Synecdoche or metonymy (from [M-W.com](http://M-W.com)) Main Entry: me·ton·y·my … a figure of speech consisting of the use of the name of one thing for that of another of which it is an attribute or with which it is associated (as “crown” in “lands belonging to the crown”) ---
**Author:** ![Duderdude2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Duderdude2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duderdude2)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-q-whats-the-word-im-looking-for-i-thought-it-was-simile-but-i-was-wrong/275511/10 "2004-11-18T19:31:43Z")
Holy damn that’s a lot of responses, and so fast too. I believe synonyms was the word I was looking for; whether it’s the best word I have yet to find out. Synecdoche seems like it may be a better fit. Thanks again everyone, I don’t know what I would have done without you guys. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2004, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-q-whats-the-word-im-looking-for-i-thought-it-was-simile-but-i-was-wrong/275511/11 "2004-11-18T19:43:20Z")
Just a thought, more people are likely to understand the word synonym than either synecdoche or metonymy - - since you’re trying to push for them using clearer language and all.