Types Of Neologisms

Question 1

What is a ‘neologism’?

Answer 1

A neologism is the combination of words to create a new word. (Linked with language levels)

Question 2

What is ‘foreign borrowing’?

Answer 2

Foreign borrowing is how we use foreign language on the English language. Eg, en route, sushi, croissant.

Question 3

What is a ‘compound’?

Answer 3

A compound is the combining of separate words to create a new word (sometimes with a hyphen or a space is used in between). Eg, broomstick, homework, tree-house, road rage, football.

Question 4

What is a ‘blend’?

Answer 4

A blend is two words fusing together (with some of the letters missed out) to create a new word. Eg, brunch, motel, labradoodle, jeggings, spork.

Question 5

What is a ‘conversion’?

Answer 5

A conversion is when a word changes its word class without adding a suffix. Eg, google it, let’s text (made to be a verb - can be a noun).

Question 6

What is ‘clipping’?

Answer 6

Clipping is the shortening of existing words to make a new word. Eg, hamburger to burger, cafeteria to cafe, television to tv/telly, advert to ad.

Question 7

What is an ‘acronym’?

Answer 7

An acronym is when words are formed from the initial letters of words - that are pronounced as a word. Eg, ASBO, YOLO, NASA, LOL.

Question 8

What is ‘initialism’?

Answer 8

Initialism is when words are abbreviated to their initial letters - but it is not pronounced as a whole word. Eg, BBC, MP, KFC, LMFAO, MIA, LOL, FBI.