Building a Better Vocabulary

z In the following acronyms, the initial letters of a set of words make

up a new word that is pronounced as a whole word:

ż RADAR: radio detection and ranging

ż SCUBA: self-contained underwater breathing apparatus

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Portmanteau word (noun)

A new word that is blended together from parts of existing words.

z Relatively recent examples of portmanteau words include the

following:

ż Infomercial = information + commercial

ż Netiquette = Internet + etiquette

ż Chortle = chuckle + snort

z The term portmanteau word comes from the sequel to Alice’s

Adventures in Wonderland, in which Humpty Dumpty explains

to Alice the unusual terms in the nonsense poem “Jabberwocky.”

Humpty says, “You see it’s like a portmanteau—there are two

meanings packed up into one word.” A portmanteau is a suitcase or

bag with two compartments that can be folded together.

z Other portmanteau words include:

ż Motel = motor + hotel

ż Brunch = breakfast + lunch

ż Spork = spoon + fork

ż Turducken = turkey + duck + chicken

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