Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 14 down vote favorite

Is there a noun for something that is "out of place" in space, like an anachronism is "out of place" in time? E.g., an old-timey barber shop in a chic neighborhood.

share|improve this question
possible duplicate of A word for two very different things juxtaposed? – Callithumpian Jul 1 '11 at 21:44

4 Answers

up vote 12 down vote accepted

I looked up the Greek root for place and thought, "hey, maybe I'll coin my own: anatopism." Except that it's already been done.

share|improve this answer
All the answers were equally good, but this one was closest to anachronism IMO. Thanks! – spinning_plate Jul 2 '11 at 4:02
up vote 11 down vote

Incongruous

(which also works for replacing anachronistic as well as 'not in the right location')

share|improve this answer
4  
Incongruity for the noun that was requested. – Callithumpian Jul 1 '11 at 21:34
up vote 2 down vote

A few options (mostly not nouns, however):

  • misfit
  • sticks out
  • out of sync
  • misplaced
  • misaligned
share|improve this answer
1  
I like "misplaced", though Mitch's answer seems correct given the vocabulary level of "anacronistic". – KeithS Jul 1 '11 at 21:02
1  
Or, since we are going for nouns: misplacement. – John Y Jul 2 '11 at 2:45
up vote 0 down vote

I like unlikely or displaced, or unsuitable if you prefer a negative connotation.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.