When new words enter our lexicon how they are created is a bit more complex as there are many different reasons or methods:
- Abbreviation: shortened word, "celeb" from "celebrity"
- Back formation: removing affixes, "vegeburger" from "beefburger"
- Blending: two or more existing words are merged. "Brunch" or "Wikipedia".
- Borrowing: word from a foreign language that becomes widely used, pajamas ,for example.
- Compounding: two or more words are put together (with or without a hyphen) e.g. bittersweet.
- Conversion: from one word class to another, "google" as a verb and a noun
- Eponym: new word from some ones name "Hoover"
- Root creating: words are made up entirely from scratch, often for phonological effect "blurb" or "dork"
Words can sometimes change semanticaly:
- Meaning extension: use becomes widened, "bird" used to simply mean only young bird
- Meaning narrowing: "nephew" used to apply to both genders
- Ameliorated: word gains positive associations
- Pejoration: gains negative status, "madam" or "mistress"
In spite of this some words have the status of "nonce" meaning that it has failed to catch on and has entered the deadpool of language. These are often the words that are created in response to current events so are only used as long as needed. Alternatively it may be a simple question of that the word was not phonologically pleasing enough or was not widely understood, for example "ConDems" to describe the current UK coalition government.
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