Back in 2019, the internet briefly lost its mind over a stray Starbucks coffee cup being spotted on the set of Game of Thrones – a medieval fantasy world suddenly interrupted by contemporary coffee culture. It was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, but nevertheless became one of the most talked-about scenes of the season. This is the magic of anachronisms: they jolt us out of a story’s time and place, sometimes by mistake, sometimes on purpose, but always in a way that gets people talking.. So, what is an anachronism? Put simply, it is something that doesn’t belong in the time period in which it appears – a mobile in ancient Egypt, characters quoting TikTok trends during the Second World War, etc. Today at What We Writing, we’re breaking down exactly what anachronisms are, exploring different types, discovering why creators use them, and sharing some of the most famous examples from literature and film. By the end of this, you’ll know how to spot them instantly – and perhaps sprinkle a few into your own storytelling.
What Is An Anachronism?
An anachronism is a literary tool that puts something or someone associated with a particular time in the wrong period of history. Anachronism comes from the Greek terms “chronos” or “khronos” meaning “time” and the prefix “ana-” meaning “back” or “again”.
Picture reading a story about a caveman who microwaves all of his meals, or watching an adaptation of a Jane Austen novel on television where the characters text one another, or swipe through their suitors on a dating app. These out-of-place circumstances are examples of anachronisms. Sometimes anachronisms are actual blunders; other times, they intentionally add humour or comment on a specific historical period.
In storytelling, they can serve different purposes: sometimes they’re clever stylistic choices that make historical narratives feel fresh, other times they’re simply oversights in production. For example, in Julius Caesar, Shakespeare famously mentions a clock – despite mechanical clocks not existing in ancient Rome. That’s a classic anachronism meaning in literature, and a perfect anachronism definition example in one.
The 3 Main Types Of Anachronism
Parachronism
A parachronism is anything that appears in the wrong period. This can be an object, a colloquial expression, or a social custom associated with a specific historical period, that appears in the wrong era or outside of its general use – for example, a modern-day person using a washboard instead of a washing machine to clean their clothes.
Prochronism
Considered an impossible anachronism, this term relates to something – either an object or a concept – used in a literary work or movie long before it was invented (think of our caveman microwaving his meals from earlier).
Behavioural or Cultural Anachronism
Bringing archaic ideas or objects into the modern day as an aesthetic decision. An example of this might be having a conversation in Latin in the twenty-first century.
Two literary terms that are closely related to anachronism are juxtaposition and archaism. Like an anachronism, juxtaposition means to place two things next to each other for comparison. Archaism is the use of outmoded language for stylistic effect.
Intentional Vs. Unintentional Anachronisms
Writers or filmmakers can place intentional anachronisms in a story to add humour or juxtapose a work with another period. Unintentional anachronisms, however, are the result of a mistake. Keep in mind the following:
Intentional Anachronisms
Books and films that feature a lot of time travel usually feature plenty of intentional anachronisms. Another great example of a deliberate anachronism is in the 2006 movie Marie Antoinette, directed and written by Sofia Coppola. This historical drama is set in the 1700s and charts the life of Marie Antoinette. However, Coppola wanted to draw attention to her protagonist’s youth and naivete, so she opted to place a pair of Converse High Tops in the background of one scene set in Antoinette’s bedroom.
Unintentional Anachronisms
On the flip side, take the 1989 film Glory, which was set during the American Civil War. In this example of an anachronism, a soldier can be seen during one of the scenes wearing a digital wristwatch.
Another famous example of unintentional anachronism is in the 1995 film Braveheart, which takes place during the thirteenth century. In the movie, actor Mel Gibson wears a Scottish kilt; however, this iconic piece of clothing wasn’t invented until the sixteenth century. Unintentional inaccuracies such as these can ruin the suspension of disbelief for both readers and viewers.
Some classic texts feature anachronisms with unknown intent. The example we used earlier with Shakespeare, including a weighted clock in Julius Caesar, is one of these.
How To Use Anachronism In Your Writing
Anachronisms can be more than historical slip-ups. In the right hands, they’re a creative tool that can inject humour, commentary, or stylistic flair to a story. Whether you’re writing a novel, short story, or screenplay, here’s how to use them effectively in your own works.
1. Decide on Your Purpose
Before adding an anachronism, ask yourself why it’s there. Is it for comic effect, like in something like Monty Python and the Holy Grail? To make a historical world more relatable, like using modern music in The Great Gatsby? Or to deliver a slice of social commentary as in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court? When your intention is clear, the anachronism feels deliberate, not sloppy.
2. Signal It to the Audience
If your anachronism is intentional, make sure that the audience knows that it’s a deliberate choice. You may highlight it with tone, narration, or character reaction. Without a signal, audiences may mistake it for a research error.
3. Avoid Unintentional Anachronisms
Accidental anachronisms can pull readers out of the story. Some of the most common culprits include:
- Technology introduced before it existed (a WWII-era typewriter in an early Victorian story).
- Language and slang that’s too modern.
- Clothing or props not yet invented.
Quick Tip: Read dialogue aloud – if a phrase feels too “now,” it might not be suited for your period.
Check Out Our Guide To What A Colloquialism Is
4. Research for Period Accuracy
Even if you plan to bend the rules, you need to know them first. Use:
- Historical archives and museum databases (e.g. British Library archives, Library of Congress digital collections).
- Primary sources from your era – diaries, newspapers, letters etc.
- Style guides for historical fiction that detail technology timelines, fashion, and language shifts.
- Film reference stills from the correct time period for visual accuracy.
5. Blend Old and New with Care
If you’re mixing eras for creative effect, balance is crucial. Too many anachronisms and the setting loses its identity; too few, and the audience may miss the point you’re trying to make. Think of them as seasoning for your story – just enough to enhance the flavour.
Check Out Our Guide To Antithesis In Writing
Wrap Up
Anachronisms might seem like small details, but they have the power to surprise, amuse, and even reshape how we perceive a story’s world. Whether they’re clever creative choices or accidental slip-ups, they always spark curiosity – and often, debate.
Here’s a quick recap of the essentials:
- Definition: An anachronism is something that doesn’t belong in the time period a story is set in, from objects to ideas to language.
- Types: Parachronism (too old), Prochronism (too early), and Behavioural Anachronism (attitudes or speech out of time).
- Uses: Humour, relatability, social or political commentary, stylistic flair.
- Examples: Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar clock reference, Game of Thrones coffee cup, modern music in The Great Gatsby.
Anachronisms keep stories alive in our cultural conversation, whether we’re laughing out loud at them, critiquing them, or admiring their boldness.
Your turn: What’s your favourite example of an anachronism in literature, film, or TV? Let us know in the comments below!
James has been passionate about storytelling ever since he could hold a pen. Inspired by the epic fantasy and historical dramas he devoured in his youth, his work now centers on dark, psychological tales featuring intense, introspective characters and atmospheric, gothic undertones. In 2025, he founded What We Writing to share his creative journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way with fellow writers and passionate storytellers.
