How New Words Enter the English Language

Borrowing

Most words in our language have been borrowedEx. yacht - Dutch

ambulance – French dollar – German karate - Japanese

Compounding

Putting two separate and complete words together.

Examples: doghouse, boyfriend

BlendsUsing parts of two different words to create a new word

Examples: brunch (breakfast+lunch)

smog (smoke+fog)

ClippingShortened longer words

Examples: cell phone (from cellular phone)

prof (from professor) gym (from gymnasium)

AcronymsUsing the first letter of word groups to form new words.

Examples: radar (RAdio Detecting And Ranging)

laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation)

EchoicWords imitating a sound (onomatopoeia)

Examples: meow, slam, buzz, roar, bang

Words from NamesProper names used as words in honor of an invention

Example: pasteurize (Louis Pasteur)Frisbee (pie plate making

company)sandwich (Earl of Sandwich)