Qué onda Friends,
A portmanteau is a case or bag to carry clothing in while travelling, especially a leather trunk or suitcase that opens into two halves.
It is also a word coined/used by Lewis Carroll to mean a word formed by combining two (or more) words.
A few portmanteau words (according to Carroll’s definition) are:
Pennant: Pendant + Pennon1
A flag or an emblem similar in shape to a ship's pennant.
Fruitarian: Fruit + (veget)arian
One whose diet includes fruits, seeds, and nuts but no vegetables, grains, or animal products.
Cinematheque: Cinema + Bibliotheque2
A small movie theater showing classic films.
Advertorial: Advertisement + Editorial
A newspaper or magazine ad resembling editorial content in style and layout.
Rollick: Romp3 + Frolic4
To move or act in a playful, carefree manner.
Note:
1. Pennon = A distinctive flag in any of various forms, as tapering, triangular, or swallow-tailed, formerly one borne on the lance of a knight.
2. Bibliotheca = Library (Latin)
3. Romp = To play in a lively or boisterous manner.
4. Frolic = Merry play; merriment; gaiety; fun.
Incidentally portmanteau words are not just dictionary words; they include interesting names like Brangelina. You know what that is right?
On that lovely note,
Hasta La Vista Baby
... BranGelina ... GooD OnE...
ReplyDeletehehe
ReplyDeleteFantabulous! :D
what does "Qué onda" mean sir?
could you please include list regarding usage of some mostly used idioms along with the vocab part ,coz these days lot of conversation make extensive use of these idioms and they are becoming fad in business and political circle.
ReplyDeleteGkam,
ReplyDelete'qué onda' is a kind of "what's up" in Spanish as spoken in South America. Pronounced "keh ondah".
ResurrectioN,
Yeah Brangelina is good. ;-) Maybe we should try to come up with more such portmanteau words. What say?
Manish,
I have done some idioms a couple of days back. I thought doing it again would be a bit boring. Will get back to it in a few days time.
And this is to everyone who also reads the comments, do let me know what you would want to read here on the Blog + what you want in your mails.
Ciao