#89 – Neologisms Bring Life to Our Language

I start every day creating an image from a single word. I work with them until I produce a visual representation. Some days, it’s a challenge.

Occasionally, the word is a ‘neologism’. Sounds like a made up word. All words are initially made up. When they get used enough to enter the language, they usually get listed in a dictionary.

Language has a way of moving around. Neologisms are used to describe the introduction and use of new words. Not all neologisms make it into the dictionary. Hundreds of new words enter the English language each year. Most fade quickly away.

Neologism derives from the Greek, neo, meaning ‘new’ and logos, meaning ‘word’. A neologism is literally a “new word”. Neologism entered the English language around 1800 after being borrowed from the French “néologisme”. The French term was derived from the Greek.

Many newly coined terms are in use without entering a dictionary. There are several reasons why this happens:

• Time – It can be years before a widely used term is considered to have the staying power to be included.
• Dialect / Slang – Neologisms often arise in local dialects, slang and on the internet and may not initially be considered for dictionary inclusion.
• Specialized Fields – Many neologisms are created in science, tech, business etc. are jargon before being more widely used.
• Creative Expressions – new words are often coined by writers, artists and influencers, they catch on before either fading away or being included in a dictionary.

Let’s have a look at some neologisms you might recognize:

• Hangry (hungry + angry) – Coined to describe the angry/irritable feeling caused by being too hungry. First seen online in the 2000s.
• Glamping (glamorous + camping) – Referring to luxury camping with amenities. Emerged in the early 1990s in the UK.
• Frenemy (friend + enemy) – Someone who is a mix of friend and rival. Originated around the 1950s-1970s.
• Double-double – A coffee order specifying two creams and two sugars, popularized by Tim Hortons.
• Stagette – A bachelorette party, derived from the word “stag” for a bachelor party.
• Serviette – The French-Canadian word used in English for a paper napkin.
• Mansplain – To explain something condescendingly, typically a man to a woman. Coined around 2008.
• Earworm – A catchy tune or melody that gets stuck repetitively in one’s mind. Popular since the 1990s.
• Hashtag – A keyword preceded by a hash (#) to categorize content on social media platforms like Twitter. Coined in the late 2000s.
• Truthiness – The quality of stating ideas one wishes were true, regardless of facts. Popularized by comedian Stephen Colbert in the 2000s.
• Freemium – A business model offering basic services for free while charging for premium features. Popular in the software/app industry since the 2000s.

In our constantly evolving world, it’s good to know that the language develops with it. Communicating effectively is a constant struggle. Imagine how hard it would be if we couldn’t shape the language we use to communicate with.