This is the main difference between anecdote and antidote is that an anecdote is a short, amusing or interesting story that concerns real people and incidents, whereas an antidote is a medicine that counteracts poison.
Although the two words anecdote and antidote sound similar, there is a distinct difference in their meaning. These words serve entirely different purposes and are used in different contexts.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is an Anecdote
– Definition, Use, Examples
2. What is an Antidote
– Definition, Use, Examples
3. Difference Between Anecdote and Antidote
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Anecdote, Antidote
Anecdote – Meaning and Usage
An anecdote is a short account of a real incident. They are often humorous or amusing, yet their main aim is not evoking laughter. An anecdote can be used to support or demonstrate some point and impart some deep truth. Anecdotes are usually biographical; they are real incidents that happened to real people. An anecdote can be humorous, philosophical, inspirational, cautionary, reminiscent, etc.
We all tell anecdotes to one other. It can be about your own experience or someone else’s. Given below is an interesting anecdote about Mark Twain.
Early in his career, Mark Twain worked as an editor in a newspaper in Missouri. One day he received a letter from a reader who has found a spider on his paper. The reader wanted to know whether this was a sign of good luck or bad luck.
Twain replied, “Finding a spider in your paper, is neither good luck nor bad. The spider was merely looking over our paper to see which merchant was not advertising so that he could go to that store, spin his web across the door, and lead a life of undisturbed peace ever afterward.”
The term anecdote originates from Greek anekdota meaning things unpublished. Anecdotal is the adjective form of anecdote, and a person who narrates anecdotes is known as an anecdotalist or anecdotist.
Antidote – Meaning and Usage
The antidote is a medicine that counteracts poison; it controls or stops the effects of poison. Each poison has its own specific antidote. For example, Naloxone is a drug used to counter the effects of an overdose of opioids such as heroin or morphine. Similarly, jewelweed stems are an effective Poison Ivy antidote. Likewise, different poisonous substances have specific antidotes.
The term antidote comes from the Greek antidoton, meaning ‘given against’. Antidotal is the adjective form of antidote. Antidote is also used to refer to something that counteracts an unpleasant feeling or situation. For example,
Laughter is a good antidote for depression and stress.
The antidote to such a situation is to discover who was responsible for spreading rumours.
They paid 1 million US dollars as an antidote for the unpleasant situation created by them.
Difference Between Anecdote and Antidote
Meaning
An anecdote is a short, amusing or interesting story that concerns real people and incidents, while an antidote is a medicine that counteracts poison or something that counteracts an unpleasant situation or feeling.
Origins
Anecdote originates from the Greek anekdota, meaning ‘things unpublished’, while antidote originates from Greek antidoton, meaning ‘given against’.
Adjective
While anecdote’s adjective form is anecdotal, antidote’s adjective form is antidotal.
Conclusion
Anecdote and antidote are two words that sound similar but have entirely different meanings and uses. This is the main difference between anecdote and antidote is that an anecdote is a short, amusing or interesting story that concerns real people and incidents, whereas an antidote is a medicine that counteracts poison.
Image Courtesy:
1. “The Boyhood of Raleigh” By John Everett Millais – Transferred from en. Wikipedia; The transfer was stated to be made by User: Mattis. Original uploader was Rednblu (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Potion icon” By Tanemori – HatenaFotolife, (CC BY 2.1 jp) Commons Wikimedia
