Odyssey: from Odysseus' Journey to an Epic Word

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary ( http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=odyssey ) the word odyssey in its current use of "long, adventurous journey" in 1889. The word that refers to Odysseus' journey has now become a word to define an epic journey. For instance the book/film 2001: A Space Odyssey uses odyssey in it title because the odyssey has been transformed just being the epic journey of Odyssey to a word that define an epic adventure. 2001: A Space Odyssey is just one small example of how this classic book has shaped even our classics. How else has the Odyssey shaped our Western culture?