Do you want to know Words That Are Actually Portmanteaus? If your answer is yes then this blog provides you all information regarding this.
Although you may not be aware of the term “portmanteau,” it’s very probable that you use portmanteaus frequently in your vocabulary and writing without even realizing it.
Meaning of portmanteau
A portmanteau is a word made up of at least two other words blended together. It’s spelled port-MAN-toe. The new word combines the meanings and pronunciations of the previous ones.
To make a portmanteau, the beginning portion of one word is usually merged with the ending segment of another word. Some portmanteau words are made by combining two words in an unusual way, such as mixing the first letters of both words.
Where did the term “portmanteau” come from?
Author Lewis Carroll explains the concept of portmanteaus in his work “Through the Looking-Glass”:
“Well, ‘SLITHY’ is defined as ‘lithe and slimy.'” The words “active” and “lithe” are interchangeable. It’s comparable to a portmanteau in that it blends two meanings into a single word.
The word portmanteau is an ideal embodiment of this word form because a portmanteau is a suitcase that opens into two pieces. The word portmanteau is derived from the French words porte (to carry) and manteau (to cloak). It “carries” both meanings of the words that make up a portmanteau.
How does a portmanteau accomplish its goal?
A portmanteau is a literary construct that encourages inventiveness in linguistic expression. When two distinct words are blended into one, a new term with its own distinct meaning is generated. The two words were combined to create this new word.
This ingenious play on words not only tests the language’s bounds, but it also keeps readers engaged in the creative effort.
There are 56 frequent and unusual portmanteau examples.
1 An advertorial (sometimes spelled advertorial or advertorial) is a type of advertising that appears as a written editorial.
2 Affluenza (from the words affluence and influenza) describes wealthy people’s unhealthy emotions of entitlement or lack of effort.
3 alphanumeric characters (letters and numerals)
4 Animatronics is the combination of animation and electronics used to create lifelike effects with puppets or other similar characters.
Anklets, often known as ankle bracelets, are a style of jewelry that wraps around the ankle.
6 Athleisure is a term that combines the words “athletic” and “leisure,” and it refers to comfortable clothing that may be used for physical exercise as well as casual, everyday wear.
A biopic usually referred to as a “biography picture,” is a film based on a biography.
8 Bollywood is the moniker given to India’s film business, which is often known as “Bombay Hollywood.”
9 Botox (botulism plus toxin) is an injectable medicine that uses a strain of botulism to treat the visual signs of aging caused by the skin.
10 brainiac (from the words “brain” and “maniac”) — someone with a very high IQ.
11 breathalyzer (breath + analyzer) – a machine that analyses a person’s breath to determine the level of alcohol in their blood or to detect viruses.
12 Brexit (Britain + Exit) — the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union in 2020, following a referendum in 2016.
A bromance (brother + romance) is a deep bond between two male acquaintances.
Brunch, often known as breakfast and lunch, is a meal eaten between breakfast and lunch.
15 carjacking (car + hijacking) – Theft of a motor vehicle by physical or psychological force.
16 celebutante (celebrity + debutante) – a wealthy person who, due to their fortune, receives similar media attention as a celebrity.
17 chillax (chill and relax) – to relax
18 “Cosplay,” an acronym for “costume roleplaying,” is a kind of art or a practice in which individuals dress up as imaginary characters.
19 A cyborg, also known as a cybernetic organism, is a mechanically built entity having human qualities.
20 stunned (dumb + confused) – shocked or absolutely speechless
The term electrocutes (electricity + execute) refers to the use of electricity to induce bodily harm or death.
22 Email, or electronic mail, is a type of electronic communication that has mostly supplanted traditional paper mail.
23 emoticons (a combination of the words “emotion” and “icon”) are keyboard symbols that represent facial expressions or emotions.
Frozen yogurt, often known as 24 froyo (frozen + yoghurt), is a frozen treat composed of yogurt.
Despite an underlying antagonism, a 25 frenemy acts like or seems to be a friend. This individual combines the terms “friend” and “enemy.”
The term “26 fortnight” (sometimes spelled “fourteen and night”) refers to two weeks with fourteen nights.
27 fauxhawk (faux + mohawk), commonly known as hair arranged in the shape of a mohawk
The term “gastropub” was coined by combining the phrases “gastronomy” and “pub.”
29 Glamping, sometimes known as “glamorous camping,” is a style of camping that emphasizes the use of high-end amenities and equipment.
30 guesstimate (a compound of the terms “guess” and “estimate”) – a guess based on intuition rather than data.
31 persons who are hangry, or hungry and furious, which means they are irritable or angry because they are hungry.
32 Hazardous materials, or hazmat, are substances that, if not adequately contained, can endanger persons and/or property.
The term “intercom” is derived from the phrases “internal” and “communication,” and refers to a speaker system that allows people in the same area to communicate with one other.
The Internet is an acronym for “interconnected network,” which refers to a network of computers that share data.
35 jeggings (jeans + leggings) – leggings that look like jeans.
People in the United States remember the abolition of slavery and the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation on Juneteenth (June plus nineteenth).
37 Labradoodles, commonly known as Labradoodles, are a mixed dog breed consisting of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. They’re known as “Labradoodles.”
38 A listicle, or “list article,” is a piece of writing that is organized in a list format.
39 “Mansplain” is a combination of the terms “man” and “explain,” and it means “to explain anything to a woman in a patronizing or condescending manner.”
40 Medicaid (medical + aid), the health insurance program for low-income people, is quite similar to Medicare (medical + care), the health insurance program in the United States for people with disabilities and those aged 65 and up. In the United States, Medicare (medical + care) is a government-run health insurance program.
41 metaverse (meta + universe) – a virtual world designed to foster social interaction.
42 mocktail (a mix of the words “mock” and “cocktail”) – a drink that is alcohol-free.
The term “43 motels” stands for “motor hotel,” which is a hotel that caters to drivers.
44 newscast (from “news” and “broadcast”): a radio or television segment that covers current events.
45 Obamacare is a slang word for the Affordable Care Act, which was passed during Barack Obama’s presidency. The name is made from of the terms “Obamacare” and “Obama.”
46 pluot (plum + apricot) – a hybrid stone fruit with plum and apricot characteristics. Plumcots are another name for pluots.
a digital audio program that the consumer can download and listen to whenever they want. A podcast (iPod + broadcast) is another term for it.
48 Pokémon (pocket monsters) is the name of a prominent Japanese media property that revolves around pocket-sized monsters housed in balls and taught to fight one another.
A popsicle is a frozen confection made primarily of fruit juice or fruit flavoring. The words “pop” and “icicle” combine to form the term “popsicle.”
“Romcom” is an abbreviation for “romantic comedy,” which refers to a show or film that blends comedy and romance in its plot. The phrase sounds a lot like “sitcom,” which is a combination of “situational humor” and “comedy.”
51 A spork, sometimes known as a spoon-fork hybrid, is a form of eating utensil that combines spoon and fork capabilities.
The term “stash” is derived from the words “store” and “cache,” and refers to a concealed storage area for goods.
53 threepeat (from the terms “three” and “repeat”): a circumstance or occurrence that has occurred three times with the same outcome, usually in the context of a sporting tournament such as a championship.
The abbreviation “vlog” stands for “video log,” which refers to an online video diary.
55 A webinar is a live internet presentation or lecture. The concepts web and seminar are combined in this term.
56 Wi-Fi (which stands for “wireless fidelity”) is the wireless technology that allows electronic devices to interact with one another and connect to the internet.
FAQs on portmanteaux
What exactly does “portmanteau” imply?
A portmanteau is a word created by mixing two or more words. Two words’ meanings are blended to form a single portmanteau word.
Where did the term “portmanteau” come from?
A portmanteau is a French word that refers to a two-sectioned suitcase. It’s a mix of the French words “to carry” (port) and “cloak” (manteau). Like the suitcase, a portmanteau word mixes or carries the meaning of two or more words.
What are some examples of regularly used portmanteaus?
“internet” (derived from “interconnected” and “network”), “labradoodle” (derived from “labrador” and “poodle”), and “spork” are examples of common portmanteau words (which derives from “spoon” and “fork”).
What are a few synonyms for portmanteaus?
A portmanteau is a literary construct that mixes two words. It’s sometimes confused with a compound word, but it’s not one because portmanteaus don’t mix two entire words (such as “firefighter”). Instead, portmanteau words are created by mixing elements from two distinct terms.
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