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| I speak of the pompatus of love. - "The Joker" |
Welcome to Amaze-ing Words Wednesday! There
are two kinds of people in the world: Those who believe that Steve
Miller is super-cool for making up a word -
“pompatus” [of love] - and those who think Steve Miller was being
silly.
It
would be convenient at times to simply make up your own words. For
instance, if you are writing a poem or a song, it might help to
invent a word to better rhyme with another word. You might need something to rhyme with "angst" (nothing does).
When
attempting to avoid cussing (for whatever reason), it might
be nice to call someone a “kerpluk,” which you have personally decided means “you dim-witted, selfish, son of a #!*%*.” (If my mom
is reading this, that was "son of a gun.”)
Moreover,
you may have discovered some item or concept that has yet to be
labeled. After all, what do you call that string of dead bugs which
gather between your carpet and baseboard? If it happens often to enough
people, maybe someone should invent a word for it.
I think the pompatus of love sounds delightful. I don't know what it
means and don't need to (although The Straight Dope has a good article on its origin). The word is just fun to say and to sing.
Made-up
words yet to be officially defined or commonly used are
neologisms. The
Washington Post
hosts neologism contests through The
Style Invitational. They invite readers to submit invented words based on some concept and parameters (for instance,
using foreign words) and then choose winners from among the entries.
Some
winners and runners-up of the contest are featured below:
Cogito
ergo bum:
Sudden realization of graduating philosophy majors.
Fit
accompli:
When the screaming 2-year-old finally gets the cookie.
Karmageddon:
It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes,
right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it’s like, a serious
bummer.
Sarchasm:
The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who
doesn’t get it.
The
New York Times
also printed a few neologisms in March 2011, including the following
words that you might wish to add to your vocabulary:
Centrovert:
One
who is slightly introvert and slightly extrovert and is thus ideally
suited for mediation, negotiation and collaboration.
Disposophobia:
A
sesquipedalian term for hoarding.
Sheening:
To
behave like Charlie Sheen – partying, questionable decision
making and public humiliation.
Rice
University keeps a Neologisms
Database (compiled by ENGL215/LING215 students). Here are some of
their entries:
Aberzombie:
One who wears only clothing from the Abercrombie clothing store and
is viewed as lacking in unique personality or independent taste in
style.
Pirattitude:
To
act like a stereotypical pirate, by singing chanties and engaging in
other such activities.
Sweaxy:
The feeling of having an attractive glow of good health after
exercising.
The
University of Pennsylvania maintains a website called the
Language Log
which also notes neologisms as they appear in our language, such as:
Scrobble:
To kidnap or capture, such as media that you shouldn't be pirating.
Sportspocalypse.
The month packed with sports video game releases; a showdown of
licensed sports titles.
Additionally,
I hear slang terms all of the time which make no sense to me, so I head over to the Urban Dictionary to look them up. These are words which people have
made up or heard and then written their own definition for. Top
entries as I write this post include:
Carnevoyeur:
A vegetarian who derives satisfaction from watching other people eat
meat or hearing about the eating of meat.
Chiptease:
When you buy a bag of chips thinking that it will be full of chips,
but when you open the bag it's barely full.
Manolescent:
A man of any age that shirks adult responsibilities.
Some
neologisms have crept into my own vocabulary, such as "staycation”
and “cringeworthy.” Yet I want to invent my own word. Something filled with
meaning, beneficial to humankind, and lasting in its impact
(Shakespeare coined words, you know). Living with three guys (hubby
and two sons), I believe I've come up with a few good ones:
Legonavigate:
To pick out a path and walk around Legos strewn across the floor in
an effort to keep from stepping on those building blocks and cursing
the Danish. “I
had to Legonavigate his room to reach the dresser.”
Pyrecreation:
Setting things on fire – such as paper, twigs, crackers, Cheetos,
etc. - for recreational amusement. “Our
sons are engaged in pyrecreation with the fire pit on the back
porch.”
Spocktacular:
A statement or action revealing the overly analytical nature of a
person such that they should be compared to the Star Trek Vulcan.
“Dude,
that was Spocktacular!”
So
what do you think? Which of the above neologisms do you like? What
neologisms can you offer? Have you heard any great ones lately?
12 comments:
I love all of them Julie! Spocktacular! lol I am adding your blog to my blog roll. You are simply amazing! I will be using these words from now on.
Thanks so much, Tracey! My husband is Spocktacular quite often - my inspiration for the word. I also appreciate you providing me a seat at your tavern.
Can I vote for "sweaxy" to move from neologism to real word? :) I'll have to tell my hubby that next time I wreak after a heavy workout session.
M.E. - Sweaxy is one my favorites too! Of course, it only applies to females. Those stinky guys need to shower. ;)
I liked Sheening because that's the kind of words we make up in our house. I make up expressions a good bit. Like those little specs of dirt its so hard to clean? I call those dirt babies. Loved your post. I'm sorry I don't have a real made-up word to contribute. :D
Dirt babies is pretty good, Catie! By that standard, my house is like "19 Kids and Counting." Thanks for coming by.
Ahahaha! Legonavigation is necessary in my house too.
I also loved this one: Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it’s like, a serious bummer.
Hilarious post!
I bet you're a master Legonavigator by now, Erin! (Yes, the word can be adapted.) In fact, I feel sometimes like Karmageddon has happened in my son's room with all of the Legos exploded out in every direction.
In my family, when we think someone is being weird or uncool, we say they are a hobo sacker.
Funny, funny post! I printed it out so I could read it to my husband. Loved all the neologisms, especially sweaxy. :)
In my family, when we think someone is being weird or uncool, we say they are a hobo sacker.
Funny, funny post! I printed it out so I could read it to my husband. Loved all the neologisms, especially sweaxy. :)
Marla - I'm curious about the origin of "hobo sacker." It is fun to have your own family word!
Julie,
My 9-year-old daughter came up with that term. I thought it was funny and we just started using it randomly. It's a combination of hobo and grocery sacker. "Hobo slacker" is another variation. These days I feel like a hobo sacker since I can't seem to find a job!
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