by Kevin Burton
Great stews and new sandwiches are born of imagination and the proper use of resources at hand. Sometimes we get words that way too.
Two words combine, in whole or in part, to form a whole new word that though previously not a word, is immediately understandable.
For example, if I say “Millie Sue Terwilliger is a tacoholic” you don’t say “wait, that’s not a word. What do you mean?” You know she loves her some tacos, because you recognize the word ending “holic.”
There is a word for such creations (of course there would be). They are called “portmanteaus,” according to the Dictionary Scoop website.
“These linguistic mashups are not only funny, but they are also convenient and expressive,” reads an article on the website. What follows is a list of ten portmanteaus from the article. (The tenth one I had never heard of, but knew what it meant at once.):
1–Brunch
This word is so commonly used, that we often forget it’s actually a combination of “breakfast” and “lunch.” It was born after the need to call that late-morning meal something new.
A brunch can also be a social event as much as a meal, often accompanied by friends, laughter, and relaxed vibes. Modern, practical, and precise, this one is here to stay.
2–Adorkable
You probably know someone who is a bit awkward and nerdy, but irresistibly cute. Well, that person is “adorkable.” This word is a combination of “adorable” and “dork,” and far from being an insult, it describes someone whose interests may be uncommon, yet they are cute and appealing.
The word has found a home in popular culture, introduced by one TV network to describe the main character of an upcoming series. But it stayed because it is an accurate and affectionate description.
3–Biopic
Bohemian Rapsody; I, Tonya; The Social Network, can you guess what they have in common? First of all, they are movies, specifically “biopics.” But the distinctive feature is that they all portray the significant lives of real people. In the case of the movies mentioned, the people were Freddie Mercury, Tonya Harding, and Mark Zuckerberg.
The word “biopic” combines the words “biography” and “picture.” Whether it’s an artist, politician, or scientist, biopics aim to capture the essence of a person’s life on the big screen. They offer a peek into history and, more often than not, it’s used to highlight some aspects of these people’s lives.
4–Motel
Did you know the word “motel” is a portmanteau? It combines the words “motor” and “hotel” and it emerged during the rise of automobile travel in the mid-20th century. What was the appeal of motels? Their location!
Motels provided convenient, roadside lodging for travelers who didn’t want to stray too far from the highway. They were budget-friendly and perfect for a quick overnight stay. Of course, over the years, motels have become an iconic and essential part of American road culture. While often depicted as mysterious in movies, they are still the number one choice for weary drivers!
5–Edutainment
Who said learning can’t be fun? In fact, most professionals agree that the best way to effectively learn something is through enjoyment. So, “education” meets “entertainment” to give birth to “edutainment,” a term to describe educative content that is also recreational and fun to make the learning experience, an enjoyable one.
The term has been embraced by everything from children’s TV shows to interactive museums, where people can experience lively tours that help the information stick. Learning is not a chore anymore, edutainment will keep everyone engaged.
6–Workaholic
Neither too little nor too much is good in any case. The same goes for work. We all want to strive and improve in life, but being addicted to work won’t get us anywhere.
This word combines “work” and “alcoholic,” and even though alcohol isn’t involved in this description, the term was chosen to refer to an addiction. The adjective describes those who cannot stop working, usually to the detriment of their personal lives.
7–Frenemy
In social circles, the workplace, and even within the family, we all have that one person for whom we can’t really decide whether we love or hate them—that’s our personal “frenemy.”
A frenemy is someone who blurs the lines between “friend” and “enemy,” a blend of both. It describes the kind of person who might support you but also somehow, compete with you. It’s truly a unique, and often confusing dynamic.
8–Mockumentary
Have you watched The Office? That series is set in a paper company, where we follow the people who work there, their relationships, and their terribly useless boss. It’s styled as a documentary, but it is actually a work of fiction and also a bit of a satire. That’s what makes it a mockumentary.
Blending the words “mock” and “documentary,” this specific type of film imitates documentary-like features, such as the handheld camera or characters’ interviews and comments, while incorporating fictional stories and deadpan humor, absurd situations, and satirical elements. The purpose? To mock real-life scenarios or exaggerate them.
9–Webinar
We’ve already learned that education can take a fun turn and become entertaining. Similarly, education also found a way to become accessible to all through the internet, our best ally when it comes to learning. A “webinar” is a blend of “web” and “seminar,” and it refers to online educational events.
It’s a product of the digital age and the goal is to increase accessibility and comfort, as they are typically attended from home. They have become a key piece of professional development and, since the onset of the pandemic, are highly requested to keep up with the educational goals.
10–Phablet
Another portmanteau from the technological field, “phablet” is a combination of “phone” and “tablet.” A phablet is what you get when you combine both technology devices in order to create a device with a larger screen—bigger than a phone but smaller than a tablet.
It is both an inventive device with a creative word that aims to give users the best of both worlds. The comfort of a phone, with the size of a tablet.
Page 7 