How to Make a Neologism

rogersgeorge on August 10th, 2020

Put a suffix on something new!

https://www.comicskingdom.com/brilliant-mind-of-edison-lee/2020-06-10

In this case, the suffix is “gate.” You get the idea. Back when I was a kid, and short skirts came out, everybody started saying mini this and mini that, followed by maxi this and maxi that.

When this happens, linguists say the item is productive.

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Rogers George has been a technical writer for more than 20 years. He has written on subjects as diverse as outhouse assembly, restaurant reviews, software, information security, and scientific equipment. He has his own writing consultancy and is always happy to discuss writing and grammar. Drop him a line at curmudgeon@writing-rag.com.

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