THE SEMANTICS OF EPONYMOUS PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Abstract

The article examines the semantics of eponymous phraseological units, specifically the semantic specificity of eponymous phraseological units consisting of anthroponymic and toponymic components. Eponymous phraseological units containing a toponymic component are classified into subgroups that include choronyms, oikonyms, and hydronyms, and their semantics are examined in detail.

The purpose of this article is to compile and analyze eponymous phraseological units drawn from public American periodical Politico as well as authoritative lexicographic sources such as the Cambridge, and Merriam-Webster dictionaries. The study seeks to investigate the semantic features of eponymous phraseological units in the English language.

An analysis of these units has distinguished by their unique cultural and sociolinguistic characteristics contributes to a deeper understanding of English-speaking culture and worldview. The practical significance of the research lies in its applicability to academic disciplines such as Onomastics, English Phraseology, Terminology, and Lexicology, where the findings can be used to enrich lectures and teaching materials.

Scientific methods such as descriptive analysis, semantic categorization, content analysis, and qualitative analysis have been used to determine the outcomes.

The semantics of eponymous phraseological units primarily encompass elements derived from folk legends, myths, religious sources, and sacred texts, as well as features reflecting the geographical, military, cultural, and pragmatic contexts of American and British societies. The selected corpus of eponymous phraseological units, originating from anthroponyms and toponyms, enabled their systematic classification. The analysis has revealed that the semantic components predominantly include proper names borrowed from the Bible, figures from ancient mythology, and personal and place names rooted in folk traditions.

The scientific value of this research is determined by the fact that the selected scientific topic, the semantics and the compilation of eponymous phraseological units have been analyzed and investigated for the first time. The results may assist for future scholars who may compile dictionaries of eponymous phraseological units.