Word Formation Processes
- Compounding o Obamacare: 2013 noun: term for the Affordable Care Act that does not have the same meaning as when the terms are broken. o Humblebrag: 2011 verb: when the two words are combined, the term’s meaning changes to an expression of false humility, especially be celebrities on Twitter. o Lumbersexual: 2014 noun: when the morphemes are stick together, the term means a fashionable rugged man who adopts the stereotypical dress and facial hair of a lumberjack, not someone who is attracted to lumber. o Slimdown: 2013 noun: this term is a reinterpretation of “shutdown” used on Fox News site, taken apart, the morphemes mean to lose weight.
- Affixing o Bi-winning: 2011 adjective: added the “bi” prefix to “winning.”
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o Trend: 2010 verb: formally a noun meaning a style, the word now refers to the verb meaning to exhibit a burst of online buzz. o Drone: 2013 trans. Verb: previously referring to the noun, an unmanned aircraft or ship guided by remote control or onboard computers, it now means to target with a drone. o Even: 2014 verb: this term previously acted as a noun referring to having a horizontal surface or being without breaks. It now acts as a verb meaning to deal with or reconcile difficult situations or emotions.
- Clipping o Feels: 2012 noun: slangy shortening of “feelings.” o Cray-cray: 2012 noun: slangy shortening and reduplication of