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 Hofstadter

Evidence 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]

Source

Analogy as the Core of CognitionStanford
Created: 8/12/2026, 6:12:22 PM

My Notes

Loading notes...