A portmanteau combines two or more words or parts of words to create a new word with a blended meaning. The term “portmanteau” itself is a combination of the French words “porter” (to carry) and “manteau” (cloak), and was coined by Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking-Glass. Portmanteaus are often used in literature and popular culture to create new words that express a concept more succinctly than existing words can. They can also add humor or playfulness to language and are a popular device in advertising and branding.
Examples of portmanteau:
Brunch – This word is a combination of “breakfast” and “lunch,” and refers to a meal that is eaten in the late morning or early afternoon.
Smog – This word is a combination of “smoke” and “fog,” and refers to a type of air pollution that occurs when smoke and fog mix together.
Spork – This word is a combination of “spoon” and “fork,” and refers to a utensil that has both spoon and fork features.
Ginormous – This word is a combination of “gigantic” and “enormous,” and is used to describe something that is extremely large.
Chocoholic – This word is a combination of “chocolate” and “alcoholic,” and refers to a person who is addicted to chocolate.
Brexit is the portmanteau of my life