New Words English Language
May 12, 2015
New WordsEnglish Language
Creation
How are new words are made? Acronyms Compounds Blends Word Coinage Clippings Borrowing
Acronyms
What is an acronym?
What are some examples?
Acronyms
Made from all or most of the letter in a
name or phrase; e.g QANTAS, ANZAC.
• Radar
• radio detecting and ranging apparatus
• Scuba
• self contained underwater breathing
apparatus
Acronyms and Initialisms
Why are abbreviations such as
“HMSO” or “GPS” not acronyms?
Because they are not said as words.
Acronyms or Initialism?
BRBNASACSIRORAMDSLDVDTV
Blends
Some new words are a blend of two
older words.
They take a part from two or more
words and blend them together.
Can you think of some examples?
Blends
• Brunch• = breakfast + lunch
• Motel • = motor car + hotel
• Sitcom • = situation + comedy
• Telecast • = television + broadcast
• Breathalyser • = breath analyser
Clippings
New words come from part of an existing word.
These are more commonly found in informal writing and speech.
In formal writing, the longer form continues to used.
Can you think of some examples?
Clippings
Professor Prof
Laboratory Lab
Telephone Phone
Mathematics Maths
Pianoforte Piano
More Clippings
Advertisement Ad
Bicycle Bike
Gymnasium Gym
Compounds
Compound words are made when two existing words are joined.
Can you think of any examples?
Compounds: Noun + Noun Noun + Noun = New Noun
Girlfriend Girl+Friend
Landlord Land+Lord
Rainbow Rain+bow
Postman Post+man
Compounds: Adjective + Adjective
Adjective+Adjective=? New adjective
Red+hot Red-hot
Bitter+sweet Bittersweet
Compound: Noun+Adjective
head+strong Headstrong
Life+long Lifelong
Noun+adjective=? New adjective
Compound: Verb+Noun
Dare+Devil Daredevil
Pick+Pocket Pickpocket
Verb+Noun=? New noun
Compound or Blend?
iMac
Chillax
Floordrobe
Word Coinage
Words are created to cater for new inventions, products or services.• Nylon• Polyester• Internet• Lycra
Can you think of some more?
Word Coinage
Coinage also occurs when brand
names are used as normal words.
• Coke
• Kleenex
• Windex
• Can you think of some more?
Borrowing
Words that originate in other languages are said to have been “borrowed” by English.
What language did these words come from?
LandscapeUproarKnapsackBrandyRosterEasel
From which language? Dutch
What language did these words come from?
TornadoAlligatorMosquitoComradeGuitarEsplanade
From which language? Spanish
What language does this word come from?
Ombudsman Norwegian
What language did these words come from?
PioneerLiaisonReservoirPoliceChef
From which language? French
What language did these words come from?
TempoFortePastaCrescendo
From which language? Italian
How were these words made?
WebinarFanboyFrenemyWebisodeMissaletteWaterboardingGoji
References
This pack was based on the pack called “Morphology” that Mr Atherton gave to me.