kewpie
UK[ˈkjuːpi]US[ˈkjuːpi]
n
A type of chubby, naked doll with a topknot of hair, based on a cartoon character.
n
(often capitalized) The cartoon character on which such a doll is based.
Etymology
The word originates from "Kewpie," the trademark name for a doll character created by American illustrator Rose O'Neill, first appearing in 1909. The name is a playful, baby-talk phonetic rendering of "Cupid," the Roman god of love, chosen to evoke the character's cherubic, cupid-like appearance. This proprietary name successfully entered the common lexicon to describe the specific style of doll, demonstrating how brand names can become generic terms through cultural saturation. Its journey from a mythological deity's name to a commercial trademark to a descriptive common noun illustrates a modern path of lexical evolution.
Analysis
The word "Kewpie" is a proper noun turned common noun, derived from a deliberate phonetic respelling of "Cupid." It is not productively composed of smaller, independent morphemes in modern English.
Examples
She won a large kewpie doll at the carnival shooting gallery.
The vintage Kewpie doll, with its signature topknot, is a valuable collector's item.
The illustration featured a classic Kewpie character holding a tiny arrow.