Portmanteau
noun port·man·teau
\pȯrt-ˈman-(ˌ)tō\
a word whose form and meaning are derived from blending
two or more words to create a new word.
noun port·man·teau
\pȯrt-ˈman-(ˌ)tō\
a word whose form and meaning are derived from blending
two or more words to create a new word.
Examples:
- smog (smoke & fog)
- frappuccino (frappe & cappuccino)
- chillax (chill & relax)
- labrodoodle (labrador & poodle)
- carjack (car & hijack)
- brunch (breakfast & lunch)
- ginormous (gigantic & enormous)
- staycation (stay & vacation)
- snark (snide & remark)
- sitcom (situation & comedy)
- spork (spoon & fork)
The Origin of the Word Portmanteau
The following information is found here:
"The term portmanteau was first used by Humpty Dumpty in
Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass:
Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass:
“Well, ‘slithy’ means “lithe and slimy” and ‘mimsy’ is
“flimsy and miserable”. You see it's like a portmanteau—
there are two meanings packed up into one word.”
“flimsy and miserable”. You see it's like a portmanteau—
there are two meanings packed up into one word.”
Interestingly, the word portmanteau itself is also a
blend of two different words: porter (to carry) and manteau (a cloak).
blend of two different words: porter (to carry) and manteau (a cloak).
Portmanteau words are extremely popular in modern-day
English and new word combinations are regularly popping up.
Below you will find 101 examples of portmanteau."
English and new word combinations are regularly popping up.
Below you will find 101 examples of portmanteau."
The above link provides a list of 86 such portmanteau examples.
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