Neologisms are new words or phrases that become part of everyday language.
And some of the words we commonly use were once neologisms themselves.
In this article, we’re going to explore everything you need to know about neologisms.
We’ll cover:
- What neologism means
- Reasons they are created
- Examples of popular neologisms
- Why some neologisms are more successful than others
So, let’s get into it.
What Is Neologism?
A neologism is a recently coined term or phrase that has been introduced into a language but has yet to become widely accepted and recognized as a mainstream vocabulary word.
While it often takes the form of a single word, a neologism can also be a phrase or expression.
It can also refer to a new meaning assigned to an existing word or phrase.
The process of adopting a neologism into a language can vary:
- Some neologisms quickly become widely recognized and integrated into everyday language. And may even be added to dictionaries.
- Others remain limited to specific subcultures or contexts. And may not achieve widespread usage or acceptance.
Why Do We Have Neologisms?
Neologisms serve as a mechanism for a language to adapt and evolve in response to changes in society, culture, technology, and the world.
When new concepts, inventions, or phenomena emerge, existing words and phrases might not adequately describe or capture them.
Neologisms provide a way to fill these linguistic gaps and effectively communicate new ideas.
Here’s why new words might be created.
Technological Advancements
As technology advances, neologisms are created to describe new inventions, processes, and concepts.
For example:
- Software: This is a combination of the words “soft” and “hardware” and was created in the 1950s to refer to programs and applications that run on computers.
- Wi-Fi: This term was coined in the late 1990s to describe wireless connectivity for electronic devices.
- Cryptocurrency: This term combines “crypto” (referring to cryptography) and “currency” and was introduced to describe digital currencies like Bitcoin.
Cultural Shifts
Changes in societal norms, values, and trends can lead to the creation of neologisms that capture new behaviors, identities, and expressions.
For example:
- Deplatforming: This new expression refers to the practice of banning or removing individuals or groups from online platforms.
- Eco-conscious: This term describes a person who is mindful of environmental impact.
- Cancel culture: This expression refers to the practice of boycotting or shunning individuals or entities due to perceived wrongdoings.
Social Media
Social media platforms facilitate the rapid spread of neologisms as users coin new words and phrases to capture trends, emotions, and online interactions.
For example:
- Influencer: This word has gained popularity to refer to individuals who have a significant online following and influence over their audience’s opinions and behaviors.
- Viral: This term is used to describe content that spreads rapidly and widely across social media platforms.
- Hashtag: While a hashtag is a symbol used to tag content, the word has become synonymous with labeling topics or trends online.
Memes
Memes, often accompanied by new words or phrases, contribute to the creation of neologisms by spreading rapidly across the internet and reflecting shared cultural experiences.
For example:
- Caturday: This word is used to refer to the tradition of posting cat-related content on Saturdays.
- Doggo: This word is a playful way to refer to dogs.
- Facepalm: This word describes the act of covering one’s face with a hand out of disbelief or frustration.
Pop Culture
Neologisms can be introduced through movies, television shows, music, and literature, often capturing the essence of fictional worlds or characters.
For example:
- Framily: This new word was coined to describe friends who are as close as family.
- FOMO: This acronym stands for the “fear of missing out” and has become a common term in discussions about social media and modern life.
- Binge-watch: This term describes the act of watching multiple episodes of a TV show in one sitting, reflecting changing consumption habits.
Politics
Neologisms often arise in political discourse to describe new ideologies, movements, or policies.
For example:
- Brexit: This term refers to the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. And it reflects the blending of “Britain” and “exit.”
- Bipartisanship: This word describes cooperation between political parties.
- Fake news: This term is used to describe false or misleading information presented as news.
Scientific Discoveries
New scientific discoveries and advancements often require the creation of new terms to describe complex concepts and phenomena.
For example:
- Quark: This term was introduced to describe elementary particles that make up protons and neutrons.
- Dark matter: This phrase refers to a type of matter that does not emit light or energy and is believed to make up a significant portion of the universe.
Changing Social Dynamics
Neologisms can emerge as society grapples with new social dynamics, identities, and relationships.
For example:
- Woke: This term is used to describe individuals who are socially aware and politically active.
- Non-binary: This word refers to individuals who do not identify exclusively as male or female.
- Microaggression: This word describes subtle, often unintentional, discriminatory comments or actions.
Examples of Neologism
Neologisms can emerge in a variety of ways, from deliberate coinage to accidental linguistic creativity.
Here are some examples.
Compound Words
These are neologisms created by combining two existing words to form a new word with a specific meaning.
For example:
- Brainstorm: A combination of “brain” and “storm” to describe the process of generating ideas.
- Webinar: A blend of “web” and “seminar” to refer to online seminars or presentations.
- Lifesaver: A combination of “life” and “saver” to describe something or someone that provides crucial help or relief.
Portmanteaus
These are neologisms formed by blending parts of two or more words to create a new word with a unique meaning.
For example:
- Brunch: A combination of “breakfast” and “lunch” to describe a meal eaten between breakfast and lunch.
- Smog: A blend of “smoke” and “fog” to refer to air pollution.
- Spork: A combination of “spoon” and “fork” to describe a utensil that functions as both a spoon and a fork.
Acronyms
These neologisms are formed from the initial letters of a phrase, creating a new word.
For example:
- NASA: Short for “National Aeronautics and Space Administration.”
- Scuba: An acronym for “self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.”
- Radar: Short for “radio detection and ranging.”
Borrowed Words
These are neologisms adapted from other languages to fill gaps in vocabulary.
For example:
- Ballet: Borrowed from French to refer to a specific form of dance.
- Tsunami: Adapted from Japanese to describe a large ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption.
- Karaoke: Borrowed from Japanese to refer to a form of entertainment where individuals sing along to recorded music.
Onomatopoeia
These are neologisms that imitate sounds associated with the objects or actions they describe.
For example:
- Buzz: Imitating the sound of a bee.
- Sizzle: Mimicking the sound of food cooking on a hot surface.
- Click: Replicating the sound of a small, sharp noise.
Calques
These are neologisms is created by translating the components of a foreign word or phrase into one’s own language.
For example:
- Superman: Derived from the German word “Ubermensch.”
- Skyscraper: A calque from the French word “gratte-ciel.”
- Loanword: Adapted from the German word “Lehnwort.”
Backformations
These are neologisms created by removing an affix or part of a word to form a new word.
For example:
- Edit: Formed from “editor.”
- Burgle: Derived from “burglar.”
- Donate: Created from “donation.”
Why Are Some Neologisms More Successful Than Others?
The success of some neologisms is due to a combination of linguistic, cultural, and social factors that contribute to their widespread adoption and integration into everyday language.
Here’s why some neologisms thrive while others fade away.
Ease of Pronunciation
Neologisms that are easy to pronounce tend to have a higher chance of being adopted. Words that flow naturally in speech are more likely to be used and remembered.
For example, Google is a simple and easy-to-pronounce word. Which has contributed to its widespread use as a verb (as in “to google something”).
Cultural Relevance
Neologisms that capture the essence of current cultural trends, technological advancements, or societal changes tend to resonate with people and gain traction.
For example the word "meme" has become widely used to describe viral images, videos, or phrases shared across the internet.
Conciseness
Neologisms that are concise and efficient in conveying meaning are more likely to be adopted. Especially if they replace longer or more complex expressions.
For example, the acronym FOMO for “fear of missing out” is easy to say and has become a common term to describe a specific social anxiety.
Emotional Resonance
Neologisms that evoke emotions or capture shared experiences tend to resonate with people and become part of everyday language.
The term facepalm vividly describes the action of covering one’s face with a hand in frustration or disbelief. And it has become a widely used expression.
Media Amplification
Neologisms that receive media coverage or are used in popular media (such as movies, TV shows, or songs) often gain visibility and recognition.
For example, the term woke gained prominence through its use in music, social media, and media coverage of social movements. And likewise, "cancel culture" is used widely due to discussions about the phenomenon of public shaming and boycotting.
Conclusion
Neologisms demonstrate the flexibility of language and its responsiveness to cultural, technological, and societal changes.
They can influence how we perceive and understand the world around us.
By adding new dimensions to our vocabulary, neologisms can shape our thoughts and attitudes toward various topics.
Neologisms also reflect the dynamic nature of language and its ability to adapt to new circumstances.
And they show that language is not a fixed and static system. But a flexible and creative tool that can be modified and expanded to suit our needs.