Ne, Neo, Neolo, Neologis…tic…ism. Neologism.

Posted on Jan 12, 2006

Yes – rather a mouthful – but a great word to learn darling – NOELOGISM.
What is a NEOLOGISM?
Here’s Wikipedia’s take: “A neologism is a word, term, or phrase which has been recently created (“coined”) often to apply to new concepts, or to reshape older terms in newer language form. Neologisms are especially useful in identifying inventions…
, new phenomena, or old ideas which have taken on a new cultural context”.

Thanks to Harris for the heads up – apparently it’s from the Washington TImes but we couldn’t find it in the archives…? Here goes:

The Washington Post has published the winning submissions to its yearly neologism contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words. (Some old, some new)

1. Coffee (n.), the person upon whom one coughs.

2. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.

3. Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

4. Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.

5. Willy-nilly (adj.), impotent.

6. Negligent (adj.) describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightgown.

7. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp.

8. Gargoyle (n.), olive-flavored mouthwash.

9. Flatulence (n.) emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.

10. Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.

11. Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam.

12. Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.

13. Pokemon (n), a Rastafarian proctologist.

14. Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

15. Frisbeetarianism (n.), (back by popular demand): The belief that, when you die, y our Soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.

16. Circumvent (n.), an opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.