What is it called when you refer to someone by an attribute?

Factual Questions
1

Examples: calling an executive a “suit”, a tall red headed guy “big red”, or someone from the Bayou “swampy”

2

An epithet.

  1. any word or phrase applied to a person or thing to describe an actual or attributed quality: “Richard the Lion-Hearted” is an epithet of Richard I.
3

I think this is metonymy, which is closely related to synecdoche.

4

I’d say you’re both right. It’s an epithet with “Big Red” or “Swampy”, where it works as a proper name, and better referred to as metonymy in the “suit” example, as it refers to all executives.

Disregarding that epithets are all forms of metonymy when you think about it, really, I guess, but, heck, you get the point.

5

My examples weren’t the best but this is what I was looking for.

Thanks everyone.

6

I just have to add that that word is really cool. Just say it out loud. I wonder if I could write a silly poem that made it rhyme with autonomy.

7

I’d call it a Sawyerism, Swampy.

8

If memory serves, the term “byname” refers to such attributes that become part of somebody’s permanent name. Common in medieval England, where “Will of the Wood” or “James the Tall” could be somebody’s name. Can’t google at the moment, so I can’t verify the usage.

9

But do they call me Ahmed the Bridge Builder? Noooo! Do they call me Ahmed the Peace Maker? Nooooo!

(sigh)

10

A high school friend’s father was just arrested for fucking a cow. Perhaps I should send him a card.

11

I’m not sure if Hallmark makes a card for that particular event. :smiley: