Eponyms
'Diesel' was an engineer
Rudolf Diesel patented his compression ignition engine in 1892, and his surname became the fuel it burned.
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'Sandwich' is named after an earl
The 4th Earl of Sandwich asked for meat between bread so he could keep working. His title turned into the name of the meal.
'Boycott' was a man's surname
Captain Charles Boycott was ostracised by Irish tenants in 1880. Within months newspapers used his name as a verb.
'Silhouette' mocked a finance minister
Étienne de Silhouette imposed harsh austerity in 1759, so cheap shadow portraits took his name as an insult.