What are Portmanteaus?
You might not know what a portmanteau is, but you probably use them more than you think while writing or speaking.
Portmanteaus: Definition
A portmanteau is a term created by combining two or more words. The new term incorporates both the pronunciation and meanings of the original words.
The starting section of one word is generally connected to the last part of another word to make portmanteaus. Other means of blending portmanteau words include merging the first portions of each word.
Why do we call it portmanteaus?
In his work Through the Looking-Glass, Lewis Carroll discusses the concept of portmanteaus.
“SLITHY, on the other hand, denotes ‘lithe and slimy.’ The terms ‘active’ and ‘lithe’ are interchangeable. It’s like a portmanteau when two meanings are crammed within one word.”
The term portmanteau is derived from the French words porte (“to carry”) and manteau (“cloak”), which denotes a briefcase that opens in two parts. The definition of both word pairings is “carried” by portmanteaus.
How do portmanteaus function?
Portmanteaus are one of the literary techniques that stimulate linguistic innovation. A new term with its unique meaning is generated by merging two unique words into one.
The wordplay pushes the limits of language while simultaneously engaging readers in the writing process.
Examples of Portmanteaus
- Advertorial: A combination of the words, advertisement and editorial: a written editorial that serves as advertising.
- Affluenza: A combination of affluence and influenza: Wealthy people suffer from unhealthy attitudes of entitlement or a lack of motivation.
- Alphanumeric: A combination of the words, alphabetic and numeric: made up of letters and digits.
- Animatronics: A combination of words, animation and electronics: computer animation to produce realistic effects using puppets or other figures.
- Anklet: A combination of the words, ankle and bracelet: jewellery that one wears around the ankle.
- Athleisure: A combination athletic and leisure: apparel that may be worn for a workout and regular, everyday wear.
- Biopic: A combination of the words, biography and picture: a biographical film
- Bollywood: A combination of Bombay and Hollywood: Another name for the Indian Hindi film industry.
- Botox: A combination of botulism and toxin: An injectable medication that employs a botulinum strain to relieve skin indications of ageing.
- Brainiac: A combination of the words, brain and maniac: an individual of exceptional intelligence.
- Breathalyser: A combination of the words, breath and analyser: a tool that analyses an individual’s breath for the presence of alcohol or detects viruses.
- Brexit: A combination of the words, Britain and exit: the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU in 2020, following a referendum vote in 2016 to withdraw.
- Bromance: A combination of the words brother and romance: two male friends’ tight platonic friendship.
- Brunch: A combination breakfast and lunch: a meal eaten between breakfast and lunch periods.
- Carjack: A combination of the words car and hijack: Employing force or aggression to steal a car.
- Celebutante: A combination of the words celebrity and debutante: an affluent individual who obtains celebrity-like attention in the media.
- Chillax: A combination chill and relax: To be calm and relaxed.
- Cosplay: A combination, costume and roleplay: the idea or practice of dressing up as fictitious characters.
- Cyborg: A combination of the words cybernetics and organism: a mechanically manufactured entity having human characteristics.
- Dumbfounded: A combination of the words, dumb and confounded: completely flabbergasted or surprised.
- Electrocute: A combination of the words electricity and execute: to use electricity to cause pain or death.
- Email: A combination of the words, electronic and mail: electronic mail communication.
- Emoticon: A combination of the words, emotion and icon: keyboard symbols that convey face gestures or sentiments.
- Froyo: A combination of the words frozen and yoghurt: a yoghurt-based frozen treat.
- Frenemy: A combination of the words friend and enemy: Notwithstanding an underlying antagonism, someone who behaves or claims to be a buddy.
- Fortnight: A combination of the words fourteen and night: fourteen nights in two weeks.
- Fauxhawk: A combination of the words faux and Mohawk: hair that has been fashioned into a mohawk.
- Gastropub: A combination of gastronomy and pub: a restaurant specialising in fine dining.
- Glamping: A combination of glamourous and camping: a camping style that involves opulent amenities and equipment.
- Guesstimate: A combination of the words, guess and estimate: a guess rather than a data-based estimate.
- Hangry: A combination of the words hungry and angry: hunger that makes you irritated or furious.
- Hazmat: A combination of the words hazardous and material: substances that might be deadly if not adequately controlled.
- Intercom: A combination of internal and communication words: a two-way speaker system that allows individuals in a given place to converse.
- Internet: A combination of the words interconnected and network: a computerised information network.
- Jeggings: A combination of the words jeans and leggings: Leggings that look like denim
- Juneteenth: A combination of the words, June and nineteenth: the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared the abolition of slavery in America.
- Labradoodle: A combination of the words Labrador and poodle: a dog breed that is a cross between a Labrador and a poodle.
- Listicle: A combination of the words, list and article: an article using a list format.
- Mansplain: A combination of the words, man and explain: to describe things in an arrogant or condescending tone to a woman.
- Medicare: A combination medical and care: the government-run health insurance programme in the United States for those with impairments and those aged 65 and up.
- Metaverse: A combination of the words Meta and universe: a virtual space designed to foster social interaction.
- Mocktail: A combination of the words mock and cocktail: an alcohol-free cocktail.
- Motel: A combination of motor and hotel: a hotel geared at drivers.
- Newscast: A combination of news and broadcast words: a television or radio programme on current affairs.
- Obamacare: A combination of the words Obama and healthcare: a word used to characterise the Affordable Care Act, enacted during Barack Obama’s presidency.
- Pluot: A combination of the words plum and apricot: a hybrid stone fruit with plum and apricot traits.
- Podcast: A combination of the words, iPod and broadcast: an on-demand digital audio programme that may be saved and listened to.
- Pokémon: A combination of the words, pocket and monsters: a Japanese cartoon media property about animals housed in pocket-sized balls trained to fight each other.
- Popsicle: A combination of pop and icicle: a frozen treat prepared with fruit juice or fruit flavouring.
- Romcom: A combination of the words romance and comedy: a comedy-romance narrative in a programme or film; akin to “sitcom,” a portmanteau term that merges the words situational and comedy.
- Spork: A combination spoon and fork: a tool that may be used as both a spoon and a fork.
- Stash: A combination of the words, store and cache: a hidden location where treasures are kept.
- Threepeat: A combination of the words, three and repeat: a circumstance or occurrence that repeats itself three times, usually in an athletic event, such as a championship.
- Vlog: A combination of the words, video and log: a video diary shared online.
- Webinar: A combination of the words, web and seminar: a web-based lecture or seminar.
- Wi-Fi: A combination of words, wireless and fidelity: A portmanteau that refers to Wireless technology that enables devices to communicate with one another and the web.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is meant by portmanteaus?
Ans. A portmanteau is a term that combines two or more words. The connotations of both terms are combined in portmanteau words.
Q2. Why is it called a portmanteau?
Ans. A two-part suitcase is referred to as a portmanteau in French. It’s made from the terms porte (that indicates “to carry”) and manteau (that indicates “cloak”). A portmanteau term, like a suitcase, contains the essence of two or more words.
Q3. What additional terminology do you have for portmanteaus?
Ans. A literary technique known as a portmanteau is a combination of words. It’s sometimes confused with a compound term, but it’s not since portmanteaus don’t mix two entire words (such as “firefighter”). Rather, portmanteau words combine elements from two different terms.
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