the queen fed her enemies to her dragons
In matters of government, we often say that a ruler did something when he/she actually ordered a bunch of other people to do something. For example, we might say, "The queen fed her enemies to her dragons," when in reality she ordered someone to order other people to physically carry her enemies to her dragons. We can see the same sort of phenomenon in more mundane matters too. A newly published author might say, "I published a book," when the reality is that a company processed some paperwork and a factory physically produced copies of the book.
Is there a special term to describe these scenarios, in which a single actor is assigned sole credit for a complex action? Something like metonym, but not exactly, since I'm interested in how we speak of the actor doing something that she couldn't literally do on her own.
terminology figures-of-speech
asked Mar 30 at 21:12
artificial_moonletartificial_moonlet
1185
add a comment |
In matters of government, we often say that a ruler did something when he/she actually ordered a bunch of other people to do something. For example, we might say, "The queen fed her enemies to her dragons," when in reality she ordered someone to order other people to physically carry her enemies to her dragons. We can see the same sort of phenomenon in more mundane matters too. A newly published author might say, "I published a book," when the reality is that a company processed some paperwork and a factory physically produced copies of the book.
Is there a special term to describe these scenarios, in which a single actor is assigned sole credit for a complex action? Something like metonym, but not exactly, since I'm interested in how we speak of the actor doing something that she couldn't literally do on her own.
terminology figures-of-speech
asked Mar 30 at 21:12
artificial_moonletartificial_moonlet
1185
add a comment |
In matters of government, we often say that a ruler did something when he/she actually ordered a bunch of other people to do something. For example, we might say, "The queen fed her enemies to her dragons," when in reality she ordered someone to order other people to physically carry her enemies to her dragons. We can see the same sort of phenomenon in more mundane matters too. A newly published author might say, "I published a book," when the reality is that a company processed some paperwork and a factory physically produced copies of the book.
Is there a special term to describe these scenarios, in which a single actor is assigned sole credit for a complex action? Something like metonym, but not exactly, since I'm interested in how we speak of the actor doing something that she couldn't literally do on her own.
terminology figures-of-speech
asked Mar 30 at 21:12
artificial_moonletartificial_moonlet
1185
In matters of government, we often say that a ruler did something when he/she actually ordered a bunch of other people to do something. For example, we might say, "The queen fed her enemies to her dragons," when in reality she ordered someone to order other people to physically carry her enemies to her dragons. We can see the same sort of phenomenon in more mundane matters too. A newly published author might say, "I published a book," when the reality is that a company processed some paperwork and a factory physically produced copies of the book.
Is there a special term to describe these scenarios, in which a single actor is assigned sole credit for a complex action? Something like metonym, but not exactly, since I'm interested in how we speak of the actor doing something that she couldn't literally do on her own.
terminology figures-of-speech
terminology figures-of-speech
asked Mar 30 at 21:12
artificial_moonletartificial_moonlet
1185
asked Mar 30 at 21:12
artificial_moonletartificial_moonlet
1185
edited 2 days ago
artificial_moonlet
asked Mar 30 at 21:12
artificial_moonletartificial_moonlet
1185
asked Mar 30 at 21:12
artificial_moonletartificial_moonlet
1185
asked Mar 30 at 21:12
artificial_moonletartificial_moonlet
1185
1185
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
The soldiers, guards, etc. who physically carried out the enemies to the dragons acted as the agents of the queen; the queen was their principal (in one of the several senses of that word); the relationship between the guards and the queen was one of agency. When such a relationship exists, the agent is acting on behalf of the principal. The principal has the responsibility for the action, as if he or she carried it out directly; the principal may thus be blamed, praised, sued, rewarded, etc. for the action.
answered Mar 30 at 21:32
jsw29jsw29
1,222418
But is there a single word to describe the phenomenon?
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
The word is agency. The phenomenon in question is not a peculiarly linguistic phenomenon (and is certainly not confined to English); it is a matter of legal, moral, and similar norms. We speak this way because this way of speaking reflects how we allocate responsibility.
– jsw29
2 days ago
I would argue that it is partially linguistic. It's also not just about assigning responsibility; as in the case of publishing a book, it's also about omitting all the literal steps involved in a process.
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
add a comment |
In the absence of anything better I would suggest attribution.
The Oxford Dictionary Online defines attribution as
The action of regarding something as being caused by a person or thing.
or
The action of ascribing a work or remark to a particular author, artist, or person.
The same dictionary describes the related verb attribute as
Ascribe a work or remark to (a particular author, artist, or speaker)
With the example
The building was attributed to Inigo Jones
The point of including the Inigo Jones reference is that, so far as I know, Jones never laid a brick but the design was his. By extention the sentences "William the Conqueror built the Tower of London" and "Edward the First built castles all over Wales" are also attribution since the kings did no building, and probably had no detailed involvement in the designs, because they were too busy doing other things. However the building of the castles was definitely caused by the kings.
answered 2 days ago
BoldBenBoldBen
6,293919
Hmm, I suppose this could work. I was hoping for a more linguistic term, the antithesis of literalism, or something.
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
@artificial_moonlet I'm prepared to believe that there is a term that might be known by other contributors but I'm not going to hold my breath for one of them to post it.
– BoldBen
yesterday
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
The soldiers, guards, etc. who physically carried out the enemies to the dragons acted as the agents of the queen; the queen was their principal (in one of the several senses of that word); the relationship between the guards and the queen was one of agency. When such a relationship exists, the agent is acting on behalf of the principal. The principal has the responsibility for the action, as if he or she carried it out directly; the principal may thus be blamed, praised, sued, rewarded, etc. for the action.
answered Mar 30 at 21:32
jsw29jsw29
1,222418
But is there a single word to describe the phenomenon?
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
The word is agency. The phenomenon in question is not a peculiarly linguistic phenomenon (and is certainly not confined to English); it is a matter of legal, moral, and similar norms. We speak this way because this way of speaking reflects how we allocate responsibility.
– jsw29
2 days ago
I would argue that it is partially linguistic. It's also not just about assigning responsibility; as in the case of publishing a book, it's also about omitting all the literal steps involved in a process.
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
add a comment |
The soldiers, guards, etc. who physically carried out the enemies to the dragons acted as the agents of the queen; the queen was their principal (in one of the several senses of that word); the relationship between the guards and the queen was one of agency. When such a relationship exists, the agent is acting on behalf of the principal. The principal has the responsibility for the action, as if he or she carried it out directly; the principal may thus be blamed, praised, sued, rewarded, etc. for the action.
answered Mar 30 at 21:32
jsw29jsw29
1,222418
But is there a single word to describe the phenomenon?
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
The word is agency. The phenomenon in question is not a peculiarly linguistic phenomenon (and is certainly not confined to English); it is a matter of legal, moral, and similar norms. We speak this way because this way of speaking reflects how we allocate responsibility.
– jsw29
2 days ago
I would argue that it is partially linguistic. It's also not just about assigning responsibility; as in the case of publishing a book, it's also about omitting all the literal steps involved in a process.
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
add a comment |
The soldiers, guards, etc. who physically carried out the enemies to the dragons acted as the agents of the queen; the queen was their principal (in one of the several senses of that word); the relationship between the guards and the queen was one of agency. When such a relationship exists, the agent is acting on behalf of the principal. The principal has the responsibility for the action, as if he or she carried it out directly; the principal may thus be blamed, praised, sued, rewarded, etc. for the action.
answered Mar 30 at 21:32
jsw29jsw29
1,222418
The soldiers, guards, etc. who physically carried out the enemies to the dragons acted as the agents of the queen; the queen was their principal (in one of the several senses of that word); the relationship between the guards and the queen was one of agency. When such a relationship exists, the agent is acting on behalf of the principal. The principal has the responsibility for the action, as if he or she carried it out directly; the principal may thus be blamed, praised, sued, rewarded, etc. for the action.
answered Mar 30 at 21:32
jsw29jsw29
1,222418
answered Mar 30 at 21:32
jsw29jsw29
1,222418
answered Mar 30 at 21:32
jsw29jsw29
1,222418
answered Mar 30 at 21:32
jsw29jsw29
1,222418
1,222418
But is there a single word to describe the phenomenon?
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
The word is agency. The phenomenon in question is not a peculiarly linguistic phenomenon (and is certainly not confined to English); it is a matter of legal, moral, and similar norms. We speak this way because this way of speaking reflects how we allocate responsibility.
– jsw29
2 days ago
I would argue that it is partially linguistic. It's also not just about assigning responsibility; as in the case of publishing a book, it's also about omitting all the literal steps involved in a process.
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
add a comment |
But is there a single word to describe the phenomenon?
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
The word is agency. The phenomenon in question is not a peculiarly linguistic phenomenon (and is certainly not confined to English); it is a matter of legal, moral, and similar norms. We speak this way because this way of speaking reflects how we allocate responsibility.
– jsw29
2 days ago
I would argue that it is partially linguistic. It's also not just about assigning responsibility; as in the case of publishing a book, it's also about omitting all the literal steps involved in a process.
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
But is there a single word to describe the phenomenon?
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
But is there a single word to describe the phenomenon?
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
The word is agency. The phenomenon in question is not a peculiarly linguistic phenomenon (and is certainly not confined to English); it is a matter of legal, moral, and similar norms. We speak this way because this way of speaking reflects how we allocate responsibility.
– jsw29
2 days ago
The word is agency. The phenomenon in question is not a peculiarly linguistic phenomenon (and is certainly not confined to English); it is a matter of legal, moral, and similar norms. We speak this way because this way of speaking reflects how we allocate responsibility.
– jsw29
2 days ago
I would argue that it is partially linguistic. It's also not just about assigning responsibility; as in the case of publishing a book, it's also about omitting all the literal steps involved in a process.
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
I would argue that it is partially linguistic. It's also not just about assigning responsibility; as in the case of publishing a book, it's also about omitting all the literal steps involved in a process.
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
add a comment |
In the absence of anything better I would suggest attribution.
The Oxford Dictionary Online defines attribution as
The action of regarding something as being caused by a person or thing.
or
The action of ascribing a work or remark to a particular author, artist, or person.
The same dictionary describes the related verb attribute as
Ascribe a work or remark to (a particular author, artist, or speaker)
With the example
The building was attributed to Inigo Jones
The point of including the Inigo Jones reference is that, so far as I know, Jones never laid a brick but the design was his. By extention the sentences "William the Conqueror built the Tower of London" and "Edward the First built castles all over Wales" are also attribution since the kings did no building, and probably had no detailed involvement in the designs, because they were too busy doing other things. However the building of the castles was definitely caused by the kings.
answered 2 days ago
BoldBenBoldBen
6,293919
Hmm, I suppose this could work. I was hoping for a more linguistic term, the antithesis of literalism, or something.
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
@artificial_moonlet I'm prepared to believe that there is a term that might be known by other contributors but I'm not going to hold my breath for one of them to post it.
– BoldBen
yesterday
add a comment |
In the absence of anything better I would suggest attribution.
The Oxford Dictionary Online defines attribution as
The action of regarding something as being caused by a person or thing.
or
The action of ascribing a work or remark to a particular author, artist, or person.
The same dictionary describes the related verb attribute as
Ascribe a work or remark to (a particular author, artist, or speaker)
With the example
The building was attributed to Inigo Jones
The point of including the Inigo Jones reference is that, so far as I know, Jones never laid a brick but the design was his. By extention the sentences "William the Conqueror built the Tower of London" and "Edward the First built castles all over Wales" are also attribution since the kings did no building, and probably had no detailed involvement in the designs, because they were too busy doing other things. However the building of the castles was definitely caused by the kings.
answered 2 days ago
BoldBenBoldBen
6,293919
Hmm, I suppose this could work. I was hoping for a more linguistic term, the antithesis of literalism, or something.
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
@artificial_moonlet I'm prepared to believe that there is a term that might be known by other contributors but I'm not going to hold my breath for one of them to post it.
– BoldBen
yesterday
add a comment |
In the absence of anything better I would suggest attribution.
The Oxford Dictionary Online defines attribution as
The action of regarding something as being caused by a person or thing.
or
The action of ascribing a work or remark to a particular author, artist, or person.
The same dictionary describes the related verb attribute as
Ascribe a work or remark to (a particular author, artist, or speaker)
With the example
The building was attributed to Inigo Jones
The point of including the Inigo Jones reference is that, so far as I know, Jones never laid a brick but the design was his. By extention the sentences "William the Conqueror built the Tower of London" and "Edward the First built castles all over Wales" are also attribution since the kings did no building, and probably had no detailed involvement in the designs, because they were too busy doing other things. However the building of the castles was definitely caused by the kings.
answered 2 days ago
BoldBenBoldBen
6,293919
In the absence of anything better I would suggest attribution.
The Oxford Dictionary Online defines attribution as
The action of regarding something as being caused by a person or thing.
or
The action of ascribing a work or remark to a particular author, artist, or person.
The same dictionary describes the related verb attribute as
Ascribe a work or remark to (a particular author, artist, or speaker)
With the example
The building was attributed to Inigo Jones
The point of including the Inigo Jones reference is that, so far as I know, Jones never laid a brick but the design was his. By extention the sentences "William the Conqueror built the Tower of London" and "Edward the First built castles all over Wales" are also attribution since the kings did no building, and probably had no detailed involvement in the designs, because they were too busy doing other things. However the building of the castles was definitely caused by the kings.
answered 2 days ago
BoldBenBoldBen
6,293919
answered 2 days ago
BoldBenBoldBen
6,293919
answered 2 days ago
BoldBenBoldBen
6,293919
answered 2 days ago
BoldBenBoldBen
6,293919
6,293919
Hmm, I suppose this could work. I was hoping for a more linguistic term, the antithesis of literalism, or something.
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
@artificial_moonlet I'm prepared to believe that there is a term that might be known by other contributors but I'm not going to hold my breath for one of them to post it.
– BoldBen
yesterday
add a comment |
Hmm, I suppose this could work. I was hoping for a more linguistic term, the antithesis of literalism, or something.
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
@artificial_moonlet I'm prepared to believe that there is a term that might be known by other contributors but I'm not going to hold my breath for one of them to post it.
– BoldBen
yesterday
Hmm, I suppose this could work. I was hoping for a more linguistic term, the antithesis of literalism, or something.
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
Hmm, I suppose this could work. I was hoping for a more linguistic term, the antithesis of literalism, or something.
– artificial_moonlet
2 days ago
@artificial_moonlet I'm prepared to believe that there is a term that might be known by other contributors but I'm not going to hold my breath for one of them to post it.
– BoldBen
yesterday
@artificial_moonlet I'm prepared to believe that there is a term that might be known by other contributors but I'm not going to hold my breath for one of them to post it.
– BoldBen
yesterday
add a comment |
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