neologismcombining

Neologism combining refers to the creation of new words by joining two or more existing words or morphemes to form a single lexical item. It is a broad term for a range of word-formation processes that generate neologisms through blending, compounding, or, in some cases, reduced forms and affixation that function as new words.

Major approaches:

- Blends or portmanteaux: merge sounds and meanings of parts, such as brunch (breakfast + lunch), smog (smoke + fog), and webinar (web + seminar).

- Compounds: fuse whole words into a new unit, which may be closed (notebook), hyphenated (mother-in-law), or open (high energy).

- Acronymic or abbreviated blends: form pronounceable items from initialisms or shortened components that act like a word in discourse.

Notes on terminology:

Some linguists distinguish blending (phonetic fusion) from straightforward compounding; others treat blends and certain acronyms as instances of neologism combining. The umbrella term helps describe how new words arise in technosocial contexts, branding, and popular culture.

Historical context:

The label portmanteau originates from Lewis Carroll, who used it to describe blended words that carry multiple ideas in a compact form. In modern usage, blending remains a productive source of neologisms, especially in technology, media, and youth language.

Lexicography and reception:

New words produced by combining can gain traction if they are usable and repeatable in discourse. Dictionaries track those that achieve stable usage and widespread exposure.