Neologism

Lore & Background

Neologisms are one facet of lexical innovation, and the most precise studies identify a 'neological continuum': a nonce word is a single-use term; a protologism is used exclusively within a small group; a prelogism is gaining usage but not yet mainstream; and a neologism has become accepted by social institutions.

Reader's Guide

Neologisms are significant because they reflect and drive changes in culture, technology, and human expression. They are often formed by combining existing words, blending words (e.g., 'brunch' from 'breakfast' and 'lunch'), abbreviation, acronym, rhyming, or playing with sounds. A relatively rare form is when proper names become words, such as 'boycott' from Charles Boycott. Neologisms can become popular through memetics, mass media, the Internet, and word of mouth, and often become accepted parts of the language. They are distinct from a person's idiolect and are usually introduced when a concept lacks a term, when an existing term lacks detail, or when a speaker is unaware of the existing term. The law, governmental bodies, and technology have a relatively high frequency of acquiring neologisms. Neologisms also appear in literature, such as 'grok' from Robert A. Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land, and in scientific jargon, like 'quark' from James Joyce's Finnegans Wake.

Did You Know?

• Neologisms are often formed by blending words, such as 'brunch' from 'breakfast' and 'lunch'.
• The neological continuum includes nonce words, protologisms, prelogisms, and neologisms.