ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G03-021 · ATLAS 259

Historical-realia word

A word referring to a former institution, practice or object, distinguished here from an old-fashioned expression for a continuing referent.

Part of the subject path Rhetoric and Style

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

A · Analytical concept R1 · Distinct contribution to understanding

Historical reference and linguistic obsolescence need not coincide. The entry distinguishes a word for a former institution or practice from an old-fashioned expression for something that still exists.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

This is a descriptive English label for the selected German linguistic sense of Historismus, not a claim that Historicism has that sense. English dictionaries may label a sense historical or explain its former referent in the definition. Norri (2022) documents variation in these practices.

Movement of thought

1. Identify the historical referent and the word’s present use separately. 2. Ask whether the referent is former or the expression old-fashioned. 3. State the lexicographical convention used in making the distinction.

Scientific use case

Lexicographical analysis distinguishes temporal usage labels from the dating of the referent.

Example

Original comparison: “Warming pan” can name a former household object; “raiment” can sound old-fashioned while referring to clothing that still exists.

Counterexample

An obsolete synonym for an everyday object does not automatically belong to the same category.

Distinction

Historical reference and obsolete expression are different dimensions. Terminological boundaries vary; the philosophical doctrine of historicism is outside this profile.

Effect on thought and perception

The reader separates the history of a referent from the currency of an expression.

Resonance

A current expression can preserve access to an earlier way of living.

Provenance

Accepted editorial clarification, 15 October 2026, packages D01–D11; original canonical evidence retained separately.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Historical-realia word“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G03-021. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-021

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-021

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.

Source-specific historical context · editorial revision

This history concerns lexicology, not the philosophical doctrine. Lukas (2022, p. 75, note 11) discusses disputed boundaries with archaisms; Norri (2022) investigates temporal labels in English dictionaries.

Status of this clarification

Editorially accepted on 15 October 2026. The sources and limitations named in the profile support this reading. A superseded conflicting profile is not displayed as an additional current explanation; the original evidence remains archived unchanged. This does not assert a new first attestation or exhaustive verification.