[net.nlang] Still more retronyms

msb@lsuc.UUCP (Mark Brader) (04/07/85)

Thanks to Alan Algustyniak (sdcrdcf!alan), Carl Lowenstein (mplvax!cdl),
and Martin Taylor (dciem!mmt) for this further collection of words
fitted with adjectives they never used to need...
Again, I've edited some that I didn't think fitted.

	a natural tan			conventional weapons
	a grass football field		fresh food
	permanent ink			political cartoon
	clean air !			warm beer
	refracting telescope		propeller-driven plane
	black and white film		steam locomotive
	rag paper			wire-framed eyeglasses
	a straightback chair		an audio tape recorder
	a hardback book			pipe tobacco
	open-toed sandals		a men's suit

and this favorite:

	a glass glass

There are probably also an infinite number of the form:

	a leather football
	a wooden desk
	wooden chopsticks
	...

and even more, if you include:

	genuine leather
	a real Christmas Tree
	*mashed* mashed potatoes
	natural food
	...

and even more, if you include:

	non-electric can opener
	non-portable PC
	inedible panties !
	uncontrolled forest fire
	...

How about the retronym by analogy:

	steam typewriter:

And of course, cars now sometimes come with:

	manual transmission
	manual steering
	manual (!) brakes	(should be pedal!)

I *think* this field is now about mined out, but it's been fun.
Mark Brader