(Clever blends of two words into one)
Why is it called a “portmanteau”?
The word portmanteau originally meant a suitcase with two compartments—one for each half that opens. The term was first used in this linguistic sense by Lewis Carroll (author of Alice in Wonderland) in Through the Looking-Glass when explaining made-up words like “slithy” (slimy + lithe).
“It’s like a portmanteau—there are two meanings packed up into one word.”
1. Advergame = advertising + game
2. Blog = web + log
3. Blogosphere = blog + atmosphere
4. Brangelina = Brad + Angelina
5. Breatharian = breath + vegetarian
6. Brexiteer = Brexit + musketeer
7. Brunch = breakfast + lunch
8. Bromance = brother + romance
9. Campervan = camper + van
10. Celebutante = celebrity + debutante
11. Clickbait = click + bait
12. Cosplay = costume + play
13. Crowdfunding = crowd + funding
14. Dramedy = drama + comedy
15. Edutainment = education + entertainment
16. Flexitarian = flexible + vegetarian
17. Framily = friends + family
18. Frappuccino = frappe + cappuccino
19. Frenemy = friend + enemy
20. Freemium = free + premium
21. Gaydar = gay + radar
22. Glamping = glamorous + camping
23. Hangry = hungry + angry
24. Infomercial = information + commercial
25. Jetlag = jet + lag
26. Listicle = list + article
27. Locavore = local + carnivore/herbivore
28. Malware = malicious + software
29. Mansplaining = man + explaining
30. Mocktail = mock + cocktail
31. Mockumentary = mock + documentary
32. Momager = mom + manager
33. Motel = motor + hotel
34. Netiquette = internet + etiquette
35. Newscaster = news + broadcaster
36. Podcast = iPod + broadcast
37. Reboot = reuse + boot up
38. Romcom = romantic + comedy
39. Shopaholic = shopping + alcoholic
40. Skort = skirt + shorts
41. Smirt = smoke + flirt
42. Snaccident = snack + accident
43. Spanglish = Spanish + English
44. Spork = spoon + fork
45. Staycation = stay + vacation
46. Transphobia = transgender + phobia
47. Turducken = turkey + duck + chicken
48. Vlog = video + blog
49. Webinar = web + seminar
50. Workaholic = work + alcoholic
