Pluralization is the process by which a proper name or unique entity becomes a common noun and gets applied to multiple instances with shared essence; examples include calling multiple intellectuals 'young Einsteins', referring to cities as 'the Paris of' a region, or using 'Mecca' as a generic term for any destination.
definitionpending
Speaker
Douglas HofstadterEvidence Quote
“pluralization...There may be two or three young Einsteins among us tonight...the Paris of the Middle East...Jerusalem being described as a Mecca for tourists...Galileo...called those moons. That was an a magnificent leap that pluralized something. [34:34]”
Created: 8/12/2026, 6:12:22 PM
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