dulating (dyoo-LAY-ting) adjective
Approximately flat and level; the opposite of undulating.
Created by Kat Petersen in conversation. Derived by removing the un- (not) prefix from undulating.
(Chris Clegg and Kat Petersen, in conversation while walking in the Lake District, 1st June 2003)
Chris: "I think the next bit of path isn't steep - only gently undulating." Kat: "Even better, look - this bit's dulating."
Internet bonus: Sometimes, neologisms are created by accident, for instance when someone mis-speaks. Reverend Spooner was particularly famous for this: he frequently swapped the first letters or syllables of adjacent words, sometimes with hilarious results. For instance, when at dinner at Oxford, instead of saying, "Let us raise our glasses and toast the dear Queen (Victoria)," Spooner actually said, "Let us glase our asses and toast the queer dean." This type of wordplay is now known as a spoonerism, named after Rev. Spooner. For a large collection of spoonerisms, including a number of spoonerised fairy tales, visit Goonerisms Spalore! at http://www.matthewgoldman.com/spoon/.
prossibly (PROSS-ib-lee) adverb
Having approximately 50% chance of happening; midway between possibly and probably.
Created by Catherine Pocock by misspelling due to changing her mind halfway through typing the word. Derived by combining possibly and probably.
"Prossibly may not be necessary for 0.18um."
(Catherine Pocock, in a technical review, 23rd May 2003)
Internet bonus: Sometime, go to the Neologism of the Week website at http://uk.geocities.com/neologismoftheweek/ and look through the past neologisms. Some may eventually officially enter the English language and make it into the dictionary; others may not. Why do some words make it and others fall by the linguistic wayside? This is the subject of Allan Metcalf's book, "Predicting New Words", published by Houghton Mifflin. For a review, visit http://www.quinion.com/words/reviews/re-pre1.htm.
teletubbybelt (TE-lee-tu-bee-belt) noun
An area of land with small, gently undulating hills, covered with short, neatly trimmed grass, small trees, and large rabbits, set aside as a green area that may not be built upon. For example, the area between the Tesco supermarket and the main road in Cherry Hinton, Cambridge, UK.
Created by Paul Hughes in conversation. Derived from teletubby (characters in the BBC children's television program, "Teletubbies", who live in a landscape similar to that described above) + belt (from greenbelt, a green area that may not be built upon in order to provide some grassy spaces in towns).
"That's not a greenbelt, it's a teletubbybelt."
(Paul Hughes, in conversation, 14th May 2003)
Internet bonus: Like new words? Enjoy receiving Neologism of the Week? Want more? Then take a look at The Word Spy, a web site and mailing list very similar to Neologism of the Week - except they'll send you a new word every single day! Visit their website at http://www.wordspy.com/.
cruspy (CRUSS-pee) adjective
Lightly toasted.
Created by Kat Petersen in conversation. Derived by combining crispy and crusty.
(Chris Clegg and Kat Petersen, in conversation, 15th April 2003)
Chris: "Would you like your bread toasted or not?" Kat: "A bit toasted - just cruspy."
Internet bonus: "Lexicographers are always looking for new words or older words used in new ways." Read the rest of this article on discovering neologisms, written by Mark Dunn, a lexicographer working for the Oxford English Dictionary, at http://www.askoxford.com/worldofwords/wordfrom/medalling/.
EL [always capitalised] (el) noun (plural: EL)
A tablespoon.
Created by Chris Clegg by reading aloud from a German recipe book and anglicising the pronounciation. Derived from the German Eßlöffel (tablespoon), usually abbreviated to EL in recipe books, and pronounced (ay-el) in German.
"We need two EL of lemon juice."
(Chris Clegg, reading aloud from a German recipe book, 28th February 2003)
Internet bonus: Random House Publishers have a list of selected neologisms created in each decade from the 1940s to the 1990s, providing a fascinating insight into the way the world has changed over the last 60 years. Take a look at http://www.randomhouse.com/words/newwords/index.html (click on the decades to see the word lists).
ishy (I-shee) adjective
Uncertain; doubtful.
Created by Andy Murphy in a conference call. Derived from -ish suffix (approximate) in adjectival form.
"Peter can come out and work with you to make sure this work doesn't get too ishy."
(Andy Murphy, in a conference call, 29th April 2003.)
Internet bonus: Take a look at Michael Quinion's excellent "World Wide Words" website for a whole host of interesting words, including a large number of neologistic turns of phrase. Go to http://www.quinion.com/words/turnsofphrase/index.htm.
incesteologism (in-sess-tee-OL-uh-ji-sm) noun
A neologism created by The Neologist.
Created by Peter Greenhalgh in conversation. Derived from incest + neologism.
(Chris Clegg, Catherine Pocock, Christian Glover and Peter Greenhalgh, in conversation, 14th April 2003.)
Chris: "I've already got a neologism for this week." Catherine: "Is is a Kat neologism?" Chris: "No, it's by me - but I was talking to Kat at the time." Christian: "That's a bit incestuous..." Chris: "I don't think so - we're not related!" Peter: "No, it's an incesteologism."
Internet bonus: Neologism of the Week presents neologisms to enlighten and illuminate. However, some people use words neologistically or in neologistic phrases to disguise the truth and hide their meaning. Particularly good at this are corporate press releases. Corporate Babble keeps a close eye on corporate language, and highlights misuse and obfuscation. Visit their website at http://corporatebabble.com/.
rosol (ruh-SOL) noun
An empty aerosol [spray can].
Created by Chris Clegg in spontaneous thought. Derived from aerosol with the aer- (air) removed.
"There's nothing quite as sad as an aerosol without any air. A rosol, in fact." (Chris Clegg, in spontaneous thought when his aerosol deodorant ran out, 11th April 2003).
Internet bonus: Sometimes, when a neologism arrives in the language, or an existing word or phrase takes on a neologistic new meaning, it is seized on and becomes a buzzword. Occasionally the word or phrase is totally overused and everyone gets sick of hearing it. Every year since 1976, Lake Superior State University has compiled a "List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness". For the 2003 list, go to http://www.lssu.edu/banished/current/default.html.
meniversary (me-ni-VER-suh-ree) noun
An event or anniversary that is significant enough to be remembered and/or celebrated even by men.
Created by John Penton by misreading an email. Derived by misreading mensiversary (the Neologism of the Week on 24th March 2003).
(invented example)
Him: "Darling, these flowers are for you. One year ago we met for the first time." Her: "Oh, thank you! This is a lovely surprise - I didn't realise this was a meniversary!"
Internet bonus: Not strictly neologistic, but certainly putting ordinary words to new uses: Anguish Languish is the practice of interchanging similar-sounding words because listeners can identify the meaning by the context. For more information, see http://www.justanyone.com/allanguish.html. End heresy ladle furry starry toiling udder warts - warts welcher altar girdle delerent firmer once inner regional virgin (translated: "Here is a little fairy story told in other words - words which are altogether different from the ones in the original version"): http://www.justanyone.com/allanguish.html#_Toc505953306.
mensiversary (men-si-VER-suh-ree) noun
The day of the month on which an event occurred in some previous month.
Created by Kat Petersen in a text message. Derived from mensis (Latin: month) + versus, past participle of vertere (Latin: to turn), in the pattern of anniversary.
"Happy mensiversary! (I forbid you to use it as a neologism - people will complain.)"
(Kat Petersen, in a text message, 8th March 2003)
(Note: The Neologist has, of course, sought and gained permission from Ms. Petersen to use this neologism for Neologism of the Week.)
Internet bonus: For a collection of coined words and phrases relating to the war in Iraq, many of which are neologistic, take a look at this BBC News Online article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2003/e-cyclopedia/2860723.stm
hospitalise (HOS-pi-tuhl-ize) verb intr.
To show hospitality.
Created by John Hall in conversation. Reported to Neologism of the Week by John Penton. Derived from hospitality in verb form.
(John Hall and John Penton, in conversation, 9th March 2003)
John H: "We should have some people round for Sunday lunch sometime. We need to hospitalise more." John P: "I agree, we should hospitalise lots of people."
Note: hospitalise (verb intr.) should not be confused with hospitalise (verb tr.), meaning to place in a hospital, either for the purposes of medical treatment, or by virtue of having caused injury; the two meanings are almost diametrically opposite.
Internet bonus: Collecting neologisms is serious business for the University of Liverpool's Research and Development Unit for English Studies (RDUES). They have developed an automated system for extracting neologisms from newspaper articles. See details and results at http://www.rdues.liv.ac.uk/neologisms.shtml.
mungo (MUNG-go) adjective
- Having holes.
- Being partially or wholly transparent.
Created by Christian Glover in conversation. Derived by mishearing "one pair of trousers" as "mungo trousers".
(Jonathan Tong and Christian Glover, in conversation, 7th March 2003)
Jon: "I went to Marks and Spencers and bought one pair of trousers." Christian: "Mungo trousers? What are mungo trousers?"
The meaning gradually became apparent through further conversation, e.g.:
"I have a mungo dress that I used to wear when I went clubbing." (Catherine Pocock, in conversation, 7th March 2003)
and
"Jon, you have got mungo trousers. There's a hole in your back pocket." (Christian Glover, in conversation, 7th March 2003)
Internet bonus: Neologism of the Week would never work in French. Why? Because French is a controlled and policed language. The French government body, The General Commission for Terminology and Neologisms, oversees all neologisms, and decides whether to permit them to become part of the French language. Visit their website at http://www.culture.fr/culture/dglf/terminologie/commis-gnle-termino.html (or see an English translation at http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.culture.fr%2Fculture%2Fdglf%2Fterminologie%2Fcommis-gnle-termino.html&langpair=fr%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools).
For a BBC News story about this department, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2563483.stm.
reneologism (ree-nee-OL-uh-ji-sm) noun
(The creation or use of) a word or expression that was thought to be new, but is actually an existing word or expression.
Created by Kat Petersen in an email. Derived from neologism with re- (again) prefix.
(Kat Petersen, in an email reply to Chris Clegg, 28th February 2002)
Chris: "Well, I just added it [the word 'aestivate'] to the list of neologisms, then checked it just in case it's already been invented, and it turns out to be a real existing word (with alternative spellings of aestivate/estivate). ... So sorry, even though it's a great word, it's not a neologism so I can't use it. ..." Kat: "Hmm. Maybe it's a reneologism. Or something. Does making up real words make me more clever?"
Internet bonus: "In Life*, there are many hundreds of common experiences, feelings, situations and even objects which we all know and recognize, but for which no words exist.
On the other hand, the world is littered with thousands of spare words which spend their time doing nothing but loafing about on signposts pointing at places.
Our job, as we see it, is to get these words down off the signposts and into the mouths of babes and sucklings and so on, where they can start earning their keep in everyday conversation and make a more positive contribution to society.
*And, indeed, in Liff."
(Douglas Adams & John Lloyd, preface to 'The Meaning of Liff')
For many neologistic definitions of place names, such as 'woking' (standing in the kitchen wondering what you came in here for), see the full text at http://folk.uio.no/alied/TMoL.html, or buy the book at http://www.amazon.co.uk/.
librarianesque (ly-BRARE-ree-uhn-esk) adjective
Of or pertaining to a librarian.
Created by Alex McGregor in conversation. Reported to Neologism of the Week by Kat Petersen. Derived from librarian with -esque suffix to make the adjective form.
"Sorry, I'm not very librarianesque." (Alex McGregor, in conversation, 20th November 2001)
Internet bonus: "Due to the decline in educational standards and vocabulary, it will be made law that every child should make up a new word everyday and use it when talking to their mother. Potentially, English can develop 21,900,000,000 words in a single year if everyone follows this policy, thus enriching our language."
Taken from the Monster Raving Loony Party's 2001 election manifesto, Education section. Visit http://freespace.virgin.net/loony.website/policies1.html for the full manifesto, or http://omrlp.com/ for the Official Monster Raving Loony Party website.
manny (MAN-ee) noun
A male nanny.
Created by Marta Kauffman and David Crane in a script for the TV sitcom "Friends". Reported to Neologism of the Week by Catherine Pocock. Derived by concatenating the phrase "male nanny".
(Ross Geller and Chandler Bing, characters in the TV sitcom "Friends", written by Marta Kauffman and David Crane, shown on 7th February 2003)
Ross: "Did you know Rachel's hired a male nanny?" Chandler: "A male nanny? A manny?"
Internet bonus: Nissan are marketing their new Micra car with an advertising campaign featuring made-up neologisms and the slogan, "Do you speak Micra?". Visit http://www.nissan-micra.co.uk/uk/newmicra/launch/home_micra.html for their web page.
decuddle (dee-KUD-l) verb (tr.)
To remove one's arms from someone after an embrace.
Created by Ben Spencer in conversation. Reported to Neologism of the Week by Kat Petersen. Derived from cuddle with de- prefix to form the negative.
(Ben Spencer and Kat Petersen, in conversation and cuddles, 23rd January 2003)
Ben: "Can you scratch my back?" Kat: "Why don't you do it?" Ben: "Because I'd have to decuddle you and that would be bad."
semidecimal (se-mee-DE-si-muhl) adjective
Of or pertaining to a number or number system having 5 as its base.
Created by John Penton on 3rd February 2003 while lying in bed and thinking. Derived in the pattern of decimal (base 10) and hexadecimal (base 16) using the prefix semi- (half). John writes: "I was lying in bed this morning considering the fact that I am now 25 and how that was a nice square number. I came to the conclusion that I have now hit three digits if my age in years is represented to the base-5. I then tried to think of what that numbering system was called, and by analogy with decimal and hexadecimal I thought of semidecimal."
"Good hardware engineers can tell you that the number of letters in the English alphabet is:(Made up example)
11010 in binary 32 in octal 26 in decimal 1A in hexadecimal, and 101 in semidecimal."
diagrammo (die-uh-GRAM-oh) noun
An accidental error in a diagram, especially when caused by a slip or mistake in keyboard or mouse use on a computer.
Created by Paul Hughes in a spontaneous comment while reviewing a diagram he had created. Derived from diagram + o, in the pattern of typo (which is a shortened form of the phrase 'typographical error').
"Oh, I've made a typo. No, a diagrammo." (Paul Hughes, in a spontaneous comment, 6th January 2003)
sinisterity (si-nis-TE-ri-ty) noun
Skill or grace in the use of the hands by a left-handed person.
Created by Chris Clegg in conversation. Derived from 'dexterity' (skill or grace in the use of the hands) but replacing 'dexter' (right, from Latin) with 'sinister' (left, from Latin).
(Ian Mannion and Chris Clegg, in conversation, 18th January 2003)
Ian: "Oh, you've got no dexterity, ChrisClegg." Chris: "That's because I'm left-handed. I've got sinisterity instead."
neacronym (nee-ACK-ruh-nim) noun
(The creation or use of) a new acronym (a word consisting of the first letters of each word in the name of something).
Created by Paul Hughes in conversation. Derived by adding the neo- (new) prefix to 'acronym', in the same pattern as 'neologism', with the 'o' of neo- removed, in the same pattern as 'neallotype' (a specimen of the opposite sex to a specimen that replaces a specimen that was used to define a new species but has been lost or destroyed) and 'neanthropic' (of or relating to members of the species Homo sapiens as opposed to any of the other, now extinct species of Homo).
(Dave Gwilt, John Penton, Chris Clegg and Paul Hughes, in conversation, 9th January 2003)
Dave: "Did you know that the Buffy musical episode is referred to as 'OMWF' - because the episode name is 'Once More, With Feeling'? So it's now got its own TLA [Three Letter Acronym/Abbreviation]." John: "But that's more than three letters." Chris: "That means it's an XTLA [X for eXtended]." Paul: "Oh, that's got to be a neacronym!"
(Note that 'XTLA' is actually an abbreviation, not an acronym, because it is not a pronounceable word. By the same pattern as 'neacronym' we can call 'XTLA' a 'neabbreviation' (nee-uh-bree-vee-AY-shn). Although 'XTLA' is in common usage in some circles, so it's not actually new.)
arseburgers (ARSS-ber-guhz) interjection (vulgar)
An expression of irritation or annoyance, particularly at computers.
Created by Jonathan Tong spontaneously. Reported to Neologism of the Week by Catherine Pocock. Derivation uncertain. Catherine Pocock writes: "After much discussion in the office we've decided that this was said because 1) Jon is strange and we have no idea how is brain works, certainly in no structured way anyway, 2) Catherine was in the room at the time, for some reason Jonathan thinks he would have said 'spatchcock' instead if I hadn't been, 3) it's an improvement on 'arse', and burgers are made from cow arse anyway so it all fits together (?), 4) something crashed / wouldn't work and so the computer needed to be shouted at."
"Arseburgers!" (Jonathan Tong, spontaneous interjection, 17th September 2002)
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