nontoponymic

Nontoponymic refers to a word or name that does not derive from a geographical place. In linguistics and lexicography, toponyms are words or names that originate from or are related to a specific location, such as cities, countries, or regions. Examples of toponyms include "Denim" (from Nîmes, France) or "Kangaroo" (from the Guugu Yimithirr word "gangurru," spoken by Aboriginal people in the region of modern-day Cooktown, Australia).

Conversely, a nontoponymic word has a different etymological origin. These words can arise from personal names (eponyms), historical events, descriptive terms, or other sources unrelated to geography. For instance, "Sandwich" is an eponym derived from the Earl of Sandwich, not from a place named Sandwich. Similarly, words like "computer," "chair," or "happy" are nontoponymic, as their origins are not tied to any geographical location. Understanding the distinction between toponymic and nontoponymic words is useful in etymological studies and for tracing the historical development of language. It helps in categorizing the vast array of words in a language based on their conceptual roots.