English for Students

Eponyms

Called Eponyms, many words tell interesting tales about their origins. Wittingly or unwittingly, few people and places have left their names for posterity through words that were coined after them. These words are derived from the names of real, fictional, mythical or spurious persons, places or characters, although Eponyms come from the persons, surname.


Here is The List of Eponyms beginning with J.


Jeremiad: Noun

A long, mournful complaint or lamentation, list of woes

The word comes from the Lamentation of Jeremiad in the Old Testament. Therefore Jeremiad is a person who complaints continually or foretells disaster.


Jodhpurs: Noun (Plural)

Trousers worn for horse riding that are close-fitting below the knee and have reinforced patches on the inside of the leg

No prizes for guessing where this word is derived from – the Indian city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan


Juggernaut: Noun

1. Any relentless, overwhelming and destructive force

2. A large heavy vehicle, especially an articulated work

This term is derived from Hindu God Juggernath, Lord of the World, and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, whose idol was hauled along on a large chariot, which so excited devotees that they would fling themselves before it and get crushed under its wheels.


Judas: Noun

A person who betrays a friend, a traitor

Judas Iscariot was the disciple who betrayed Jesus Christ at the Last Supper.

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