Neologism. I love that word.
What does it mean? I’ll let the Macquarie Dictionary take it from here:
neologism noun 1. a new word or phrase. 2. the introduction or use of new words, or new senses of words. 3. a new doctrine.
So why am I talking about neologism? Not because I want to talk about its meaning. Not because I want to debate its use. But because I want to indulge in a little neologising.
And I need some help. I need you to help me create some new words. Who’s with me?
I’ve identified a few things that need words. A few experiences, feelings and even quasi-dance moves that take too long to describe, and for which such lengthy descriptions are inadequate anyway.
We need new words, be they blends (also known as portmanteaus), acronyms or just completely new creations that somehow sound fitting.
Here’s an example I’ve been chuckling about since creating this morning:
PINCEPTION: the act of finding inspiration from a picture on social media that was inspired by a picture on social media that was inspired by a picture on social media that was inspired by your picture on social media.
Want to help? Here come some more situations I’d like to develop words for.
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The ‘I want to cry but I guess I have to suck it up and find another solution’ sigh of resignation you do when you’ve poured cereal into a bowl, or made a coffee, only to realise that you’re out of milk.
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The funny, hoppy movements you perform when you stub your toe on something.
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The little manoeuvre you perform – perhaps checking a list, looking in your bag or pretending to answer your phone – when you’re walking in one direction then realise you’ve forgotten something, but don’t want to simply turn around and walk back the way you came. (Because THAT would be crazy.)
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The moment in a heated debate with your partner or other important person in your life that you realise that they are, in fact, right. And you are, in fact, wrong.
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The feeling of rage, resentment and helplessness you feel when you’ve been in a waiting room or queue for ages, but you don’t want to kick up a stink lest they delay you further out of spite.
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So, do you have any potential new words for these scenarios? Can you think of any other scenarios for which we need words?
No milk – lactache? Maybe not.
I thought I had come up with a word that described my annoyance, frustration and sluggishness on the tough days. Unfortunately, “splug” was already taken by a rather inappropriate and unrelatable definition.
Ooh, there’s an idea there. Lack-tose?
And I’m tempted to look up splug now. Should I resist?
“The funny, hoppy movements you perform when you stub your toe on something.”
Twiggles! (Toe Wiggles).
“The moment in a heated debate with your partner or other important person in your life that you realise that they are, in fact, right. And you are, in fact, wrong.”
No words for it, but if it’s your partner that you’re arguing with, flashing them is a great distraction.
Twiggles is adorable! And thanks for the debate tip. Will have to keep that in mind.
Lol. I love this. I think the one where you stub your toe should be something like ‘Farkenowie’. Yes? I would like to create a word that describes that delicious sound when you pour wine into a glass after a long day.
Farkenowie is BRILLIANT. And I’ll put my thinking cap on for that one.
Love the suggestions above! My offering is pretty lame, “paindance” for the stubbed toe scenario. Hubster and I have created our own word instead of saying “Do you know what I mean” – we abbreviate it to junnamean which flows off the tongue much more easily!
Visiting from Team IBOT x
I love paindance. I was thinking spraindance, but it’s not really a sprain, is it? Paindance is SPOT ON. And I’m totally adopting junnamean!
I love this. When I know hubby is right… Backawayslowly…
What a creative mind you have to think of all these situations that I have experienced many times but now need words.
Haha! Backawayslowly. Nice.
It’s too late for me to come up with any new words tonight but I will have a think and get back to you because I agree, all these situations NEED a word!
And I bet they didn’t need words until you read them, right? Sorry!
The moment in a heated debate with your partner or other important person in your life that you realise that they are, in fact, right. And you are, in fact, wrong.
Happens to my hubby all the time. Not so much me. Never thought to put a name on it but it is generally followed by ‘you are always right’ from hubby and from me… several hours of gloating. I may also sing ‘Can’t touch this’ and ‘who’s bad’ as I moon walk out of the room.
How about… Right-able. Rightwinged. RightNow. RightOn. I honestly have no idea. Will have to think about it and get back to you.
“Happens to my hubby all the time.” HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Love it.
So I read this last Tuesday and didn’t comment because I couldnt’ think of a thing.
Turns out a week hasn’t helped. The best I can come up with is ‘ragience,’ for the last one. Because you’re outwordly trying to practice patience, but raging inside.
Love Renee’s ‘Farkenowie.’ That could catch on!
Ragience! Nice!