Synecdoche – A Cautionary Tale

My friend Matthew is in the publishing industry. He suggested I write about the word Synecdoche. I have never used this word in a sentence, however, I am interested in English and I am always looking to broaden my vocabulary.

And this word is complicated.

Now we must define it and relate it to finance.

Matt, I will try.

Synecdoche

This is a term that describes a figure of speech that uses parts to describe the whole or the whole to describe the parts. “All hands on deck.” Certainly the captain of the ship is hoping for sailors, not just literal hands to join him on deck. The message is understood.

“Did Michigan win last night?” The reference is obviously to football, not the state of Michigan generally. It is understood but described as a whole. The whole of Michigan is used to describe a football team.

Finance

When we say “Is the market up today?”, it is generally understood that we are referring to the stock market. Still, it refers to parts of a whole.

Are we talking about the farmer’s market? Are we talking about the bond market? Are we talking about the job market?

Waxing Philosophical

“The market” is a vast concept that extends far beyond publicly traded stocks. Macro-economic conditions impact everyone. School systems. Home prices. The cost of living.

Don’t lose the leaves for the trees.

-Zac