Blends
Word Blends as Neologisms
Blending is a common source of new words. Typically the first half of one word is merged with the second half of another word and if there is some overlap in the middle, then the blend feels stronger.
After a while, the original words may not be apparent. How many people see brunch as a blend?Some examples of blends:
skyjacking “hijacking of a commercial aircraft”
Chunnel “the Channel tunnel”
fantabulous “extremely wonderful”
Celtadelic “Celtic hard rock music”
clownselor “idiot high school counselor”
dumbsizing “ineffective, poorly-thought out downsizing”
glitterati “the glamorous elite”
coffnoscenti “coffee connoisseurs”
stalkerazzi “tabloid photographers who dog celebrities like stalkers”
swooshtika “derogatory reference to Nike swoosh logo”
affluenza “malaise/lack of ambition common among children of the affluent”
imagineer “to envision and design innovative inventions”
gayborhood “gay neighborhood”
Blend of three words:
turducken “a meat dish of turkey stuffed with duck and chicken” motormobilia “automotive memorabilia”