The article considers the specific features of a precedent mythonym actualization in the English discourse by the example of the theonyms “Apollo” and “Dionysus” and their derivatives “Apollonian” and “Dionysian”. The author focuses on studying additional evaluative meanings formed in the process of discursive actualization of the frames of the mythonyms Apollo and Dionysus. The originality of the research lies in the fact that it helps to understand more clearly precedent mythonyms’ motivation in the English-language discourse. The obtained results show that the most important motives for metaphorical transfer are the appearance and behaviour of human beings - bearers of a certain quality.