Words For the 21st Century
Overcome crules and experience an ovacious poogasm
The evolution of language is fascinating. Despite the consternation of high school English teachers the world over, language is alive. It’s aaaaliiiive!
It’s no surprise that authors contribute to the ever-evolving way we both use existing words and put letters together to create new ones.
A few 20th Century authors’ new words include
Witticism
In The State of Innocence, poet John Dryden writes: “A mighty Wittycism, (if you will pardon a new word!) but there is some difference between a Laugher and a Critique.”
The word witticism is a portmanteau of witty and criticism.
A portmanteau is simply a new word that combines two existing words, the way podcast is a combination of iPod and broadcast, and brunch is breakfast and lunch smunched into one delicious word.
Brainiac
Another portmanteau that combines brain and maniac, first used in the Superman comic in 1958 as the name of a villain.
Blurb
A blurb is a short description of a book, film, or other product written for promotional purposes. The word was coined in 1907 by…
