List of retronyms

1994 Level

Before the Doom engine had more features added in source ports such as ZDoom and Doom Legacy, all levels for Doom made around 1994 had limitations that constrained the gaming atmosphere. But when more features were added to source ports for better level atmospheres, older-style levels started to be called "1994 levels" to differentiate from the newer kind.

2D

With the increasing prevalence of 3-D movies, conventional, non-stereoscopic versions of movies are starting to be called 2D versions. This is also used in reference to animation, to distinguish the older style hand-drawn or more recently vector-based animation from 3D-rendered animation.

Acoustic guitar

Before the invention of the solid-body electric guitar, all guitars amplified the sound of a plucked string with a resonating hollow body. Similarly: acoustic piano.[3]

American Morse Code

This was the original signalling alphabet, suggested by Samuel Morse's assistant, Alfred Vail. It has a variety of different units and timings. It was later replaced by the Continental code (also called international Morse code), which has simpler timings and a different alphabet. Also called "railroad code".

AM radio

Before the introduction of broadcast FM radio, the AM broadcast band radio was known simply as radio, wireless (in the UK) or as medium-wave radio (still the preferred term among radio enthusiasts) to distinguish it from the (also amplitude-modulated) shortwave radio bands.

AM(/FM) only radio

Before FM radio receivers came to the market, AM receivers were simply just known as radios. However, as AM/FM radios started to include turntables, tape players, CD players, and later on analog AUX inputs, satellite radio and even USB, AM/FM radios without bells and whistles would start to be called AM/FM-only radios on their own.

Animal Crossing: Population: Growing!

Used to refer to the original GameCube game after the release of its sequels. The name comes from its tagline in English-speaking regions.

Artistic gymnastics

Generally known simply as gymnastics before Rhythmic gymnastics was added to the Olympic program in 1984.

At-grade expressway

Since freeways are divided highways with 100% grade separations, expressways are at-grade highways with no direct private access. Some jurisdictions have different criteria on the difference of word use, but sometimes they are used interchangeably in areas that don't have many at-grade expressways. Since expressway and freeway are sometimes used interchangeably, the term at-grade expressway has been coined since there was a time when all expressways were at-grade; prior to the 1940s which is when California and Michigan planned out the nation's first freeways. States like Florida sometimes use the term "freeway" in reference to expressways (at-grade or grade-separated) which are free-of-charge to use.

Atari 2600

Originally sold as the Atari Video Computer System (or Atari VCS for short). When its successor, the Atari 5200, was released, the VCS was rebranded the Atari 2600, after its part number (CX-2600).

Bar soap

The common cake of soap used in the tub or shower was familiarly called "soap" or "bath soap"; the term "bar soap" arose with the advent of soaps in liquid and gel form.

Black Licorice

In North America, licorice is often called "black licorice" to distinguish it from similar confectionery varieties that are not flavored with licorice extract, and commonly manufactured in the form of chewy ropes or tubes.

Black powder

Called "gunpowder" for centuries while it was in common use. The retronym "black powder" was coined in the late 19th century to differentiate it from the newly developed smokeless powder which superseded it.

Black-and-white television

Once called simply television, now the retronym is used to distinguish it from color television, which is now more commonly referred to by the unadorned term. Along the same lines: broadcast television, free-to-air television, over-the-air television, silent movie. Furthermore, "Standard Definition Television" has become necessary to distinguish sets from HDTV (high definition).

Boeing 737 Classic

When Boeing introduced the 737 Next Generation (−600, −700, −800, and −900 series) whilst announcing its successor, the 737 MAX, the −300, −400, and −500 variants of the Boeing 737 still in service were called the 737 Classic.

Brick-and-mortar store, high street shop

As increasing use of the Internet allowed online stores, accessible only through computers, to compete with established retail shops, the latter began to be called "brick-and-mortar stores" or "high street shops" to indicate that customers could (or had to) visit them to examine and purchase their goods. These two terms are also often used to describe the physical storefronts of a retail business that also sells products online. In the U.S. and Canada, "brick-and-mortar" emphasizes the physical construction of these stores, as opposed to the largely electronic nature of online stores. The terms "high street shop" (UK) or "main street store" or "downtown store" (U.S. and Canada) also serve to differentiate the more traditional retail venue from big-chain "box stores" such as K-mart, Wal-Mart, or Zellers, which did not exist prior to the 1960s. (The name "High Street" is commonly used in the UK for a town's primary thoroughfare. In the U.S. and Canada, it is more likely to be called "Main Street".)

British English

Was simply referred to as "English" until North American English dialects and British English dialects started to diverge.

Broadcast television

This term was coined in the U.S. to distinguish it from cable and satellite television.

Chevrolet K5 Blazer

Simply just Chevrolet Blazer (in sales literature) prior to the introduction of the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer since the name was applied to both 2-door SUVs in the 1980s. In reality, the K5 Blazer has always been its official demarcation since its introduction in 1969 although the "K" prefix denotes a four-wheel drive layout (some purists refer to a 2-wheel drive K5 Blazer as a C5). Sales literature from GM after the 1983 model year has always referred to the K5 as the Full-size Blazer. This also includes the Blazer's corporate twin, the GMC Jimmy (same naming convention during the 1980s until the 1992 model year).

Chicago II

Refers to the second album by the band Chicago. The album was originally entitled just "Chicago" but the name was changed after the release of the third album, Chicago III.

Classical Hollywood Cinema

a term commonly used since the 1970s to refer to the mainstream commercial American cinema of roughly 1930-1960, which at the time was simply referred to as "Hollywood", "the cinema", "the movies" etc. (see 'film noir' below).

Cloth diaper (Terry nappy)

Before the second half of the 20th century, all diapers (nappies, in the UK) were made from cloth (terry cloth) and simply called diapers (US) or nappies (UK). The advent of the disposable diaper gave rise to this term.

Command & Conquer: Tiberian Dawn : This name is sometimes used by fans of the Command & Conquer series to refer to the original game of the series, officially known simply as Command & Conquer.

Complex instruction set computer

This name was coined after the advent of Reduced instruction set computer.

Constitution Act, 1867

Prior to 1982, when the patriation of the constitution occurred, Canada's constitution was known as British North America Act 1867.

Corn on the cob

Before canned corn was widely available, "corn on the cob" was simply "corn".

Bic Cristal

Before the 2000s, the Bic Cristal was named "Bic Classic" pen. Prior to the 1990s, "Bic Classic" was referred to simply as the "Bic pen".

CSI: Las Vegas : Not used before the debut of the spinoff series CSI: Miami in 2002, and CSI: NY in 2004.

Curved or curly quotes

Straight quotes were made widespread by typewriters.

Data-transfer USB port

Before "recharge-only" (or powered USB) came along, all USB ports could both transfer data, and "recharge" mobile devices.

Day baseball

Baseball played during the day, as all games were played before electric lighting in stadiums became common.

Dairy milk

Used to refer to actual milk from a mammal's mammary glands, as opposed to plant milks like soy milk, rice milk, almond milk, and coconut milk.

Disposable battery

Before rechargeable batteries became popular in AA, AAA, C, D and PP3 form factors, all batteries in those form factors were disposable. However, rechargeable batteries back then were limited to stationary and vehicular (sometimes semi-portable) applications.

Divided expressway/freeway (USA)

Early expressways and freeways were divided corridors, but recent concepts of freeways and expressways have included occasional undivided corridors for economic and environmental compromises, as well as an initial phase prior to twinning. But it is unclear whether undivided versions existed first. However, the expressway, parkway and freeway concepts were developed with divided highways in mind during the 1910s (parkways) and 1940s (freeways), the German Autobahn would be conceptualized around the same time with similar qualities to freeways.

Dumb Phone

A phone with either no or limited internet capabilities. These phones also have no or limited ability to run apps. Before smartphones became popular, these were simply considered ‘phones’ or ‘cellphones’. They are also sometimes referred to as feature phones or “flip phones”.

English muffin

Originally called a 'muffin' in southern England, the prefix is now used to distinguish them from the American version.

Eyeglasses (US) / Prescription glasses (UK)

Glasses people wear for visual correction. Used in the USA to distinguish from plain sunglasses, safety glasses, or 3D glasses. In the UK the term is not used but the term 'prescription glasses' refers to any glasses with visual correction.

Face-to-face conference

A conference whose participants meet in the same room, as opposed to using telephones or video cameras (similarly:IRL-meeting = in-real-life meeting).

Field hockey (North America)

Known simply as "hockey" (as it still is in the UK and Ireland) until ice hockey and roller hockey became popular. (In addition, there is a game called street hockey, which evolved from ice hockey.) Similarly, Field soccer (Football) and Field lacrosse (lacrosse). (Both North America)

Film camera

As opposed to digital camera. Also, the use of a film camera is often referred to as “film photography”, “analogue photography”, or “traditional photography” in order to distinguish it from digital photography.

Film noir

Prior to the 1970s, films with "film noir" style were referred to in English-speaking countries simply as dramas or melodramas (see 'Classical Hollywood' above). The term was coined in the 1950s by French critics who were taking the products of Hollywood more seriously than critics in the English-speaking world tended to at the time.

First Gundam

A nickname, commonly used by Japanese fans of the franchise and coined shortly after the release of Zeta Gundam. Gundam 0079 is also used in the same fashion.

First Anglo-Dutch War

Renamed after the Second Anglo-Dutch War in 1664.

Fixedsys

The monospaced system font in Microsoft Windows 1.x and 2.x, simply called System under those systems. In Windows 3.0, System became a proportional font, and the original font was renamed Fixedsys.

Fortnite: Save the World

Originally titled Fortnite it renamed after the release of Fortnite: Battle Royale.

Forward slash

Before the introduction of ASCII and electronic keyboards for computers, typewriters had only one type of slash ("/"), normally produced by the unshifted key shared with the question mark. The rise of MS-DOS brought regular use of the backslash ("\") character found on computer keyboards (for specifying directory paths). Before that time the symbol "/" was known simply as a "slash" (US) or "oblique" (UK). (Other typographical names for this character are virgule and solidus. In the UK, the character was traditionally known as an oblique stroke or, more simply, an oblique. To slash means to cut with a scything motion, which is analogous to the motion of the pen as the character is handwritten.)

Free-range parenting

Traditionally children had less supervision prior to the 21st century; this allowed for more independence and freedom in a child's decision making. There is a modern term called helicopter parenting which refers to parents who overly monitor, plan, and get involved with their kids activities.

French franc

The currency unit of France before the euro, which was originally the only franc, but had to be distinguished from the Belgian franc, Communauté Financière Africaine franc, and Swiss franc after those countries adopted the term.

Friction brake

Automotive disc brake or drum brake. Coined after the advent of the regenerative brake in electric or hybrid automobiles.

Frizzen

This component was called the "hammer" while flintlock firearms were in use. On percussion cap firearms which replaced flintlock the striking component was called the hammer and the term frizzen was applied to the hammer of flintlocks.

Full service

A radio format that consists of a wide range of programming. Coined after the introduction of contemporary hit radio in the 1950s.

Full-size van (US)

Coined after the introduction of minivans by the Big Three automakers, although box trucks (bigger vehicles that were considered vans) existed prior to the Big Three's use of full-size van.

Game Boy Classic

Used to distinguish the original from the Game Boy Pocket, the Game Boy Color, and the Game Boy Advance.

Game Boy Mono

see Game Boy Classic. Refers to the monochrome graphics these models produced.

GM "old-look" transit bus

The GM old look did not originally have a name, but in 1959, a new design was released and was called the new look. After this many people started calling the older design the Old Look.

Ground warfare

The "Ground war" term/phrase developed some time after the widespread adoption of large scale use of aircraft as a viable weapon of war.

Hand-barrow

Originally, "barrows" suspended the load on poles carried by two people, one in front and one behind. "Wheelbarrows" are first cited by the Oxford English Dictionary to the 14th century, and in the 15th century the term hand-barrow arose to refer to the older sort of barrow, but in the British Isles the more common version was sedan chair (if a person was being carried).

Handwritten

Crops up in the late 19th century to contrast with "typewritten".

Hard cider

In Europe and Asia, "cider" refers to fermented (alcoholic) apple juice. In the U.S., "cider" or "apple cider" often refers to unfiltered non-alcoholic apple juice. "Hard cider" specifies the alcoholic version.

Hardcover book

Prior to the invention of paperback books in the 1930s, all books were hardcover and simply referred to as "books".

Hard disk

All disks were hard (i.e. constructed of rigid instead of flexible magnetic material) until the advent of the floppy disk.

Helicopter parenting

Referring to parents that maintain a close involvement in their children's lives, the concept existed well before the advent of modern helicopters during the WWII era.

High-floor

All buses and trams were high-floor until the advent of low-floor trams and low-floor and low-entry buses.

Home movie

To distinguish it from a cinema movie-the invention of film predates the invention of the cinema. Though "home movie" from that era may have been a misnomer since consumer-grade film cameras had yet to be available.

Horse cavalry

Used to distinguish the now mostly obsolete original use of horses in a military mounted combat role, with the advent of tanks and other motorized vehicles (mechanized cavalry or armored cavalry) following World War I, and the use of helicopters (air cavalry) during the Vietnam War era.

Horsecar (Horse Tram in English speaking countries outside North America)

Used to describe the horse-pulled predecessor of the modern streetcar / tram. Originally called 'street cars' or just 'cars'. After street railway companies started electrifying their systems around 1900, the term became 'electric street cars' or 'electric trams', to differentiate from the previous horse-drawn vehicles. As time went on the word 'electric' was dropped, and as automobiles began being referred to as cars, the term 'streetcar'(US) or 'tram'(UK) remained to describe a public transit vehicle that ran on rails at street level

Hot chocolate

In the days before the invention of sweet solid chocolate for eating, the word "chocolate" was usually used to refer to the drink. For a while after the chocolate bar was invented it was referred to as "bar chocolate", but due to its rise in popularity in the latter half of the 19th century it eventually laid claim to the basic word.[4]

Human computer

Until mechanical computers, and later electronic computers became commercially available, the term "computer", in use from the mid-17th century, meant "one who computes": a person performing mathematical calculations. Teams of people were frequently used to undertake long and often tedious calculations; the work was sometimes divided so that this could be done in parallel.

Indoor volleyball

Used to differentiate from beach volleyball after the latter gained prominence.

Independent bookstore

All bookstores were independent until the advent of bookstore chains.

Inground pool

A swimming pool where the filled high water level is flush with the ground; compared to above an "above ground pool" where the entire pool is above ground level

id Tech 1 engine

A name applied to the Doom engine. Later game engines by id Software used the "id Tech" nomenclature, beginning with id Tech 4.

iPhone 2G

Used to differentiate the original 2007 model of the iPhone from its later models.

King's Quest: Quest for the Crown

The 1983 game was originally titled King's Quest until the fifth rerelease in 1987 when the subtitle was added to the box art, instructions, and all other materials. This was done to prevent confusion with the sequels which were already on the market.

Landline phone service

With the advent of cellular or mobile phone services, traditional hard-wired phone service became popularly known as landline phones. Previously, this term was generally only used by military personnel and amateur radio operators. (In the movie The Matrix a landline phone was also referred to as a "hardline".) Even though a considerable amount of landline phone traffic is transmitted via airwaves, this term comes from the physical cabling that provides the "last mile" connection between the customer premises and local phone distribution centers. Because of the communications industry's love for acronyms, landline phone service has also been called POTS—Plain Old Telephone Service. The logical complement of this acronym, "PANS" became a backronym for "Pretty Amazing New Services". In the telecommunications industry the term wireline is used for landline phone services, to distinguish them from wireless or mobile phone services. Wireline is clearly another retronym.

Lead-acid car battery

Before other battery chemical substances such as Ni-MH and Li-Ion were employed in hybrid and electric vehicles (although some current hybrid cars used lead-acid and some high-end conventional gasoline vehicles use Li-ion), lead-acid batteries were the only batteries for automobiles on the market; and they were also the only rechargeable ones on the market.

LED mouse

Before laser mice came along, all optical mice employed LEDs.

Linear momentum

Before the concept of angular momentum was developed, the only type of momentum known was linear.

Linear television

Before the rise of video on demand, video hosting services, streaming media, and digital video recorders, the only way to consume television was through watching television channels, on broadcast, cable or satellite, which showed a combination of both live and recorded programming at designated times.[5][6]

Lithium primary battery

Batteries involving lithium were all primary cells (disposable) before rechargeable lithium-based batteries such as lithium ion batteries (later lithium polymer battery) hit the market.

Live action

A form of a film that consists of images consisting of predominantly actual actors and objects that exist in the actual world, as opposed to an animated film, which predominantly consists of artificial static images or objects that take advantage of the persistence of vision principle of film to give an illusion of life.

Live poker

What casinos call the kind of poker played with cards by people sitting at a table; what many others still just call "poker"; also called a "ring game" or "cash game". The term became necessary to distinguish it from video poker, which is far more common in casinos today.

Live music

Before the publication of recorded music, all music was live.

Live band dance

Before the advent of DJs (and then automated playlists), all dances had live music.

Low-beam headlights

simply just headlights before high beams were introduced on motor vehicles.

Luggable computer

The first generation of computers marketed as "portable", such as the Kaypro or the Osborne series, were quite bulky and were heavier than a bowling ball. The weight was mostly due the fact they had a conventional CRT-type monitor built right in. When the first laptop computers came out, the earlier, heavier portable machines became referred to as "luggables".

Macintosh 128k

Originally named the Macintosh, changed to distinguish from the Macintosh 512k.

Madden 89, 90, 91

Respectively known as 1988 video game, 1990 video game, and John Madden Football II, this was in the early days before year numbers were added to the title of Madden NFL video games.

Mainframe computer

When minicomputers (which were the size and shape of a desk or credenza) were introduced in the early 1970s, existing systems that often consisted of multiple large racks of equipment received the name "mainframe", alluding to the vertical cabinets or "frames" in which they were installed.

Manual transmission (also standard transmission)

Automotive transmissions were all manual before the invention of the automatic transmission.

Meatspace or "meat life" or "real life"

All of physical reality, as distinguished from cyberspace.

Mechanical disk

Before the advent of solid-state ram, and later solid-state flash memory (i.e. no moving parts), all computer disks had moving parts, hence the "mechanical" adjective. These include hard disks, floppy disks, and optical disks (CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs).

Mechanical fuel injection

The amount of fuel squirted into an internal combustion engine by a fuel injection system was, before integrated circuitry became applied to motor vehicle engines, originally regulated by a calibrated mechanical linkage. What made for the retronym was the more precise Electronic Fuel Injection, which employed more sensors.

Mechanical mouse

before the optical mouse was introduced, all computer mice had a mechanical ball.

Mechanical watch

Prior to the introduction of the first quartz movement watches in the late 1960s, all watches used a mechanical movement.

Middle Ages

the time period in human history from the 5th to the 15th century A. D.. The earliest use of the term Middle Ages is recorded in 1604, to differentiate that period from the era of Antiquity and the then-beginning age of Modernity.

Minecraft: Java Edition : The original release of the game, on Microsoft Windows, was simply known as Minecraft prior to the release of Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition. In addition, other versions of the video game on Microsoft Windows are Minecraft Classic, Minecraft 4k, and Minecraft: Education Edition.

Monaural sound, monophonic sound or mono sound

Often simplified to simply "mono". Before stereo sound was introduced, mono sound was simply just called sound.

Muzzleloader

For centuries virtually all firearms were loaded from the muzzle, so there was no need for a term to distinguish this characteristic until the general adoption of breech-loading firearms in the 19th century.

Narrow-body aircraft

An aircraft arranged along a single aisle permitting up to 6-abreast seating in a cabin below 4 metres (13 ft) of width. Before the arrival of wide-body aircraft in the early 1970s, narrow-body aircraft was simply just called aircraft.

Natural language

A language, used by humans, that evolved naturally in its society. Contrast with computer programming languages or constructed languages. Often referred to as human language.

Natural person

To distinguish humans (the original "persons") from the legal fiction of "juridical persons", non-human entities treated like people in law.

Naturally aspirated engines

Internal combustion engines that use vacuum and venturi effect to draw the air and fuel mixture into the cylinders, without fuel injection, turbo-charger, or supercharger.

Nissan Tsuru

Mexican-market version of the Nissan Sentra based on the 1991–94 model ceased production in May 2017.

non-album single

In the days of 78rpm records, before albums were introduced, all record singles were essentially "non-album", but would not have been referred to as such.

Old 3DS

Used to refer to the original models of the Nintendo 3DS before the release of the New Nintendo 3DS in 2014.

Old Labour

Term used in the 1990s and 2000s to refer to the policies the UK Labour Party was perceived to have held before Tony Blair's leadership, policies previously referred to simply as "Labour".

Old Look

A type of transit bus, which gained this name after the introduction of the New Look bus. Both were made by GM

Old Testament

In the Jewish tradition, the Hebrew Bible is known as the Tanakh.

Open sewer

Before enclosed pipes, or underground corridors for sewers came along, all sewers were open. For instance, the open sewers in the Middle Ages was largely responsible for The Black Death.

Optical zoom

The advent of digital cameras (and accompanying digital zoom) necessitated this retronym, describing the "analog" method of achieving close-up using a zoom lens.

Opposite-sex marriage

coined after the advent of same-sex marriage.

Organic farming, organic food

Farming practiced without the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, and so forth; and the food so produced.

Over-the-board chess (also OTB chess)

Chess played in real time using a physical chessboard, as opposed to computer chess or correspondence chess.

Overground train

Used in the UK to refer to trains that run above ground throughout, as opposed to Underground trains which only run partly overground. (The key distinction is that "Overground" trains are not fully integrated into the Underground system.)

Paid-for sales, pure sales

since the introduction of streaming into chart compilation, with (as in the UK Singles Chart) a certain number of streams often being added together to make a streaming sale, traditional sales of music (whether in physical or digital format) are now often referred to by these terms.

Paleoconservative

Before the advent of the neoconservative movement in the 1970s and its breakthrough success in the 1990s, American conservatism was largely defined by what would be referred to in the 2000s (decade) as paleoconservatism.

Pararescue jumper

The term Pararescue jumper is a retronym of the initials "PJ", which were used on Air Force Form 5 (Aircrew Flight Log) to identify anyone on board in order to jump from the aircraft. Pararescuemen originally had no "in flight" duties, and were listed only as "PJ" on the Form 5. The Pararescue position eventually grew to include duties as an aerial gunner and scanner on rotary wing aircraft, a duty now performed by aerial gunners. Currently, aircrew qualified Pararescuemen are recorded using aircrew position identifier "J" ("Pararescue Member") on AFTO form 781.

Paper book

E-books being commoner by the day, it is now necessary to distinguish books printed on paper from books distributed in a digital form.

Paper copy, hard copy

With the proliferation of exchange of documents in the form of electronic files, physical copies of documents acquired this retronym. Occasionally extended to the copying devices; i.e. paper copiers. The jocular substitute dead-tree copy is sometimes used.

Parallel ATA (PATA)

The original ATA interface was parallel; the qualification became necessary when Serial ATA was introduced.

Permanent magnet

Used for an object that is permanently magnetized rather than an electromagnet.

Physical media (data transfer)

Refers to the transmission of data over wires, such as copper cables, fibre optic or coaxial cable, as opposed to wireless communication.[7][8]

Physical media (media storage)

Refers to the storage of data on physical objects, such as paper, photographs, video tapes, or optical disks, as opposed to cloud storage or streaming media.[9][10][11]

Physical single

After the coming of the legal music download, this term became commonplace to refer to a vinyl, CD or (by then defunct) cassette single, which would previously have been referred to simply as a "single".

Pickup truck

Before SUVs (often referred to as "trucks") were introduced, pickup trucks were those on a sturdy frame with high ground clearance. The term SUV was not coined in the 1990s; prior to then, SUVs were referred to as "trucks" and sometimes "cars".

Pipe organ

Before smaller reed-based organs and harmoniums were invented, every organ used large pipes.

Plain old telephone service (POTS)

PlayStation 1 or PS1

to distinguish from the PlayStation 2 and its subsequent successors (PS3 and PS4). A smaller version of the original PlayStation was named the PS one, released shortly after the PS2.

Primordial element and Transient element

Elements that are found in nature, as opposed to those that have to be created in the lab using a collider.

Post sedan or post coupe

In the United States this indicates a car with a full-height B-pillar, as opposed to a pillarless (half-height B-pillar) hardtop. Generally used only in referring to classic cars from the 1950 to 1980 period because fashion and safety regulations dictate nearly all modern cars are post models.

Pragmaticism

In 1905, in order to differentiate his original version from more recent forms of Pragmatism, Charles Sanders Peirce renamed his version to Pragmaticism, a term "ugly enough to be safe from kidnappers".

Pre-dreadnought battleship

The revolution in battleship design brought about by the construction of HMS Dreadnought resulted in almost all the battleships built before her completion becoming known as "pre-Dreadnought battleships", whereas before they had simply been "battleships".

Primary cell

Also, less formally non-rechargeable battery; Before the introduction of rechargeable batteries, all cells were primary, then when rechargeable batteries came along (lead-acid battery being the first), rechargeable batteries would formally be called "secondary cells".

Prime lens

A camera lens with a fixed focal length (e.g. 28 mm), as opposed to a zoom lens, which can cover a range of focal lengths (e.g. 28–105 mm). Before the invention of zoom lenses, all camera lenses had a fixed focal length, so they were just called "lenses".

Procedural programming

Before object-oriented programming was invented in the 1980s, there was just programming.

Program Files (x86)

Before x86-64 versions of Microsoft Windows were released, all Windows applications since Windows 95 were installed in the directory back when it was simply just C:\Program Files.

Prop airplane

As jet aircraft became the primary people movers of the airways, the older propeller-based technology received this occasional shorthand nickname to distinguish it.

Pulse dialing

After touch tone dialing on telephones became common, the older dialing standard became known as pulse dialing.

Raw milk

also called fresh milk, refers to milk that has not been pasteurized, a process which did not become standard until the 1800s

Real numbers

coined after the development of the imaginary numbers.

Real mode

before protected mode had been introduced in the 80286 processor, the term "real mode" was not in use for MS-DOS memory management.

Real tennis

was once known simply as tennis, but came into use at the end of the 19th century to distinguish it from the game of lawn tennis patented in 1874. The term "real tennis" has become more vague now since video game tennis has come along. Therefore, real tennis is now court tennis.

Red Book audio CD

At first, all audio CDs complied with the Red Book standard. Then came other implementations of the audio CD, such as super audio CD, MP3 CDs, and DVD-Audio, and the original is now referred to as Red Book audio to differentiate between different standards.

Reel-to-reel or open reel

Tape recorders were originally simply tape recorders, as they all used a pair of open reels to hold the magnetic recording medium. The term reel-to-reel was introduced when various forms of cassette tape formats became popular.

Reflective liquid crystal display

before LCDs had backlighting, all LCDs required the reflection of room light or sunlight in order to see the screen.

Regular Nintendo

the informal slang for Nintendo Entertainment System coined when Super Nintendo Entertainment System was introduced to the market.

Roller skates

The term applied to all types of skates, though with the popularization of "rollerblades" during the 1990s, the term roller skates started to refer to older two axle template.

Rotary telephone or dial telephone

The kind of telephone in common use before touch-tone telephones.

Rugby union

To differentiate it from its descendant, rugby league. Like hockey, the original term of rugby is still widespread.

Scalar processors

As opposed to Vector processors.

Scripted series

Created in the wake of the success of reality television, the term applies to both fiction and non-fiction television with an identified writer or writers. The term can be misleading since reality television is almost never wholly improvised and often includes writing of some kind.

Seventy-eight (78) rpm records

Before the advent of ​33 ¹⁄₃ rpm and 45 rpm vinyl records, these were known simply as records, phonograph records or gramophone records.

short file name

(officially referred to as 8.3 filename) before the advent of long filenames. FAT file systems only had 11 characters, three of which form the extension. The ISO 9660 filesystem for CD-ROMs has similar specifications to conform to the FAT specs.

Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope

Refers to the 2014 video game originally known as Shovel Knight. For the game's 2017 Nintendo Switch release, the game was given the subtitle to make it more consistent with its included DLC campaigns. The overall package was renamed to Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove.

Silent film

In the earliest days of the film industry, all films were without recorded sound. Once "talkies" became the norm, it became necessary to specify that a particular film was "silent". The term "silent film" is also a misnomer, because silent films were typically presented in theatres with live musical accompaniment.

Sit-down restaurant

With the rise of fast-food and take-out restaurants, the "standard" restaurant received a new name in the United States. (In the United Kingdom, fast food and takeaway (takeout) outlets are not normally referred to as "restaurants", so the "sit-down" qualifier is not necessary.)

Snail mail (also known as land mail, paper mail, p-mail, and postal mail)

Non-electronic mail delivered to physical locations, such as one's home or business. Before email and voice mail, all mail was physical, and much slower by comparison – thus, the dysphemistic "snail" appellation. Compare surface mail, below.

Sneakernet

Before the Internet became popular, the so-called "sneakernet" was simply just a regular transfer of computer data on physical, interchangeable media. For instance, punched tape was used for this purpose at first, then floppy disks, then sneakernet was coined when the Internet became popular, now modern sneakernets involve transfer of Secure digital cards, USB flash drives, external hard drives, optical disks (CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays), etc.

Snow skiing

Water skiing now necessitates this differentiation. This, however, only applies to an area where both "snow" as well as "water" skiing are likely. "Snow skiing" would not be mentioned in the Alpine regions, unless large lakes offered the availability of water skiing.

Solo motorcycle

So called instead of motorcycle when some were being built with a sidecar. (see disputed retronyms below for more info).

standard AUX input (standard auxiliary input)

The common name for AUX audio inputs that doesn't employ an iPod dock connector, USB, optical/coaxial S/PDIF digital audio or proprietary mechanical standards that employ multiple standards alongside proprietary audio signaling standards. It usually refers to 1/8th inch TRS connectors, but sometimes it can refer to a set of red and white RCA stereo jacks.

Star Trek: The Original Series

The series' actual title Star Trek is now often used to refer collectively to the original series and its multitude of spin-offs.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Originally released in 1977 under the title Star Wars. The new title was applied to a 1979 pubication of the script and (following the 1980 release of Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back) to a 1981 amended re-release of the original film.

Static electricity

see triboelectricity, below.

Steam train

In the 19th century, before the advent of electric and diesel-powered trains, steam trains were just "trains".

Studio recording, studio album

Before live albums, music for distribution on records was only recorded in a studio.

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

In 1986, the first sequel to the hit NES game Super Mario Bros. was released in Japan as Super Mario Bros. 2. Because of its extreme difficulty and similarity to its predecessor, Nintendo of America opted not to release the game in North America. Instead, Nintendo released a remake of Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic as the North American Super Mario Bros. 2 in 1988. The original sequel was eventually rereleased worldwide as part of the Super Mario All-Stars compilation, but under the moniker Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. Outside of Japan, this name persists.[12]

Surface mail

Traditional mail, delivered by road, rail, and ship, retrospectively named following the development of airmail. Compare snail mail, above.[13]

Survivor: Borneo

Broadcast as just Survivor. When the show subsequently used other locales, the location of the first season was added to the title to distinguish it.

Terrestrial radio

As opposed to satellite radio.

Terrestrial television

As opposed to satellite television and cable television.

Textile top convertible

Before retractable hardtops became popular, convertibles mostly had textile tops which folded when stowed away for a top-down ride.

Tie-on pocket

Early pockets were pouches, similar to a purse, tied around the waist and worn underneath the wearer's outer garments. Once pockets began to be sewn directly into clothing, these pouch-like pockets needed to be differentiated from those that had been integrated into the garment. [14]

Traditional animation

With the rise of computer animation, hand-drawn, cel-based (or "2D") animation is now referred to as this.

Traditional Cigarette (also known as Combustible cigarette)

A tobacco cigarette. Before electronic cigarettes became popular, all commercially available cigarettes were tobacco cigarettes. Along the same lines, the smoking of traditional cigarettes is sometimes referred to as “traditional smoking” in order to distinguish it from vaping, which could also be considered a form of smoking.

Transformers: Generation 1

referring to the original Transformers toyline which ran from 1984 to 1992, and the assorted tie-in media. Then known only as "The Transformers", when the sequel series, Transformers: Generation 2 launched by Hasbro in 1993, all previous subject matter was dubbed "Generation 1" – many individuals did this independently, as it is a logical progression, and when the online fandom began growing in the 1990s, the term became the definitive one for that era. The term subsequently made it into official use through toy reissues and comic books, most notably on Japanese toy packaging.

Triboelectricity

Electricity was so named from the Greek word for amber, because of the discovery that if it was rubbed (generating what is now called triboelectricity) it would attract objects (due to a charge of static electricity). Electric currents and other forms of generation were discovered later.

Tube amplifier

Tube amplifiers for musical instruments were largely replaced by "transistor" (or solid state) amplifiers during the 1960s and 1970s.

Tube TV or CRT TV

Originally, all televisions used a cathode ray tube (CRT) to produce a TV image. But with the recent popularity of newer television technologies such as LCD, plasma, or DLP, some stores now describe the sets that still use a picture tube as tube TVs or CRT TVs.

Two-door coupe

Before four-door cars started to have coupe-like styling in recent years, coupe mostly referred to 2-door cars. Examples of 4-door cars that have coupe used as a marketing term are the BMW X6 SUV and the Dodge Charger sedan which re-uses the name of a 1970s 2-door car.

Ultimate Doom

Before Doom II, Ultimate Doom was originally just simply Doom. Doom was originally just a mail-order game, then when Doom II sold successfully in stores, Doom was re-released as a retail product, it was dubbed Ultimate Doom to differentiate from Doom II. It added a new episode called Thy Flesh Consumed.

Uncontrolled road (or uncontrolled highway)

Before the concept of controlled-access roads, which some call expressways came along, even predating automobiles, all roads had direct access to private property or public event or government grounds. When the controlled-access roads came along, they helped to virtually eliminate direct driveway access to private property or parking lots with only select crossroads for direct access. One had to use the term uncontrolled road to differentiate. However, the introduction of freeways (which other countries referred to as autoroutes, motorways and whatnot) further complicated matters by necessitating the use of the term at-grade expressway (see above). Recent uncontrolled roads have even adopted qualities of freeways and expressways such as paved shoulders (sometimes with rumble strips), freeway speed limits, and grade-separated ramp junctions (though most are just the at-grade "guest" of diamond junctions).

Unstyled John Deere tractor

After industrial design was applied to the sheet metal styling of John Deere tractors, the distinction unstyled was retronymously applied to earlier models whose model name was the same, for example, styled Model A versus unstyled Model A

Upright bicycle

The advent of the Recumbent bicycle sometimes requires a speaker to make the distinction between that and the conventional "upright bicycle".

Vanilla Doom

The advent of source ports for Doom have altered gameplay behavior.

Viennese waltz

The original waltz, as distinct from other styles of waltz that have since developed.

Visible light

Before the discovery of invisible wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, all light was considered visible.

Water-activated stamps (gummed stamps)

The predominant kind of postage stamp before self-adhesive stamps became popular.

Web 1.0

a term used from the mid-2000s onward to refer to the World Wide Web / Internet of the 1990s and early 2000s. At the time, it was referred to simply as "the web" or (less accurately) "the internet" or "the net".

Wet Ice

A term invented to differentiate regular ice from solid carbon dioxide (dry ice)

Whole milk

Milk was formerly available in just one version, with the cream included, and benefited eventually by pasteurization and homogenization. But it was still called simply milk. This variety of milk is now referred to in the U.S. as whole milk (3.25% milkfat) to distinguish it from 2% (reduced fat) milk, 1% (low fat) milk, and skim milk (nearly no fat). In the UK, the terms whole milk (also full-cream milk or full-fat milk) (3.5%), semi-skimmed milk (about 1.5%) and skimmed milk (almost no fat) are commonly used.

Windows 10, version 1507

Win16

The original, 16-bit Windows API, as distinguished from the newer Win32 and Win64.

Windows 8.0

Windows 93

a term used to refer to Windows 3.1x or Windows NT 3.1 which was released in 1993. This term would be used to fit the Windows 9x nomenclature, but was before the product that Windows 9x mainly refers to, which is Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows ME.

Zorro I

The original Amiga (Amiga 1000) computer expansion bus was simply "Zorro" before the Amiga Zorro II was developed for the next generation Amiga, the Amiga 2000.

Zune 30

Used to describe the first-generation Zune device; the "30" was added after the release of the Zune 4, 8, and 80

These are less official descriptions that are commonly used.

Contiguous United States or Lower 48

Referred to simply as The United States before Alaska and Hawaii, which are American exclaves, became states.

Double-retronyms in general may just be the differentiation of adjectives and nouns that form retronyms in the first place, but there are other scenarios, such as political bodies splitting apart where there is simultaneous coinage of new names but no confirmed "original" is claimed. The nouns are in alphabetical order:

North Carolina and South Carolina

In general this area is referred to as The Carolinas, but this former province was split around 1729.

East Germany and West Germany

The splitting of Germany from 1945 to 1990 after World War II led to the construction of the infamous Berlin Wall in 1961.

Inverse Double retronym Where the introduction of a double retronym makes the adjective factually incorrect.

Southern Ireland The most northerly tip of the Island of Ireland is in the Republic of Ireland which is otherwise known as Southern Ireland