The rise of the portmanteau words

EVER SINCE THE SMOKING BAN in enclosed public places came into force last July, there has been a marked upsurge in smirting, proving that the British public can adapt and adopt new words.

‘Smirting’ is a portmanteau word, formed by packing parts of two words together to create another, combining the sense of each (‘smoking’ and ‘flirting’). Smirting is a cousin of smog (smoke + fog).

A portmanteau was a suitcase that hinged in the middle like a book, allowing you to carry clothes in one side and anything else in the other. The word is itself a portmanteau, formed by combining ‘porter’, the French for ‘to carry’, with ‘manteau’, meaning ‘coat’ or ‘cloak’.
In 1896, Punch invented “brunch”, combining breakfast and lunch.

Today the portmanteau is probably the most fertile vehicle for neologisms. Countries have been formed by packing two place names together: Tanzania, for example, was formed in 1964, linguistically speaking, by combining Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
This is only a guesstimate (guess + estimate), but the internet (international + network) has produced thousands of new portmanteau words: blog (web and log), webinar (a web-based seminar), wikipedia and so on.

Combining the names in a famous couple can be a way of implying that they are a brand, indistinguishable as individuals: Billary (Bill and Hillary Clinton); the famous actor couple Brangelina.

The rise of the portmanteau words

EVER SINCE THE SMOKING BAN in enclosed public places came into force last July, there has been a marked upsurge in smirting, proving that the British public can adapt and adopt new words.

‘Smirting’ is a portmanteau word, formed by packing parts of two words together to create another, combining the sense of each (‘smoking’ and ‘flirting’). Smirting is a cousin of smog (smoke + fog).

A portmanteau was a suitcase that hinged in the middle like a book, allowing you to carry clothes in one side and anything else in the other. The word is itself a portmanteau, formed by combining ‘porter’, the French for ‘to carry’, with ‘manteau’, meaning ‘coat’ or ‘cloak’.
In 1896, Punch invented “brunch”, combining breakfast and lunch.

Today the portmanteau is probably the most fertile vehicle for neologisms. Countries have been formed by packing two place names together: Tanzania, for example, was formed in 1964, linguistically speaking, by combining Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
This is only a guesstimate (guess + estimate), but the internet (international + network) has produced thousands of new portmanteau words: blog (web and log), webinar (a web-based seminar), wikipedia and so on.

Combining the names in a famous couple can be a way of implying that they are a brand, indistinguishable as individuals: Billary (Bill and Hillary Clinton); the famous actor couple Brangelina.

Portmanteau words

1 Find the portmanteau words in the text formed from the two words on the right.
Example
blog web + log
…………………………………. guess + estimate
…………………………………. smoke + fog
…………………………………. international + network
........................................... web + seminar

2 Which words have been used to make these portmanteau words?
Brangelina …………………………………. ………………………………….
fanzine …………………………………. ………………………………….
heliport …………………………………. ………………………………….
email …………………………………. ………………………………….
internet …………………………………. ………………………………….
infocommercial …………………………………. ………………………………….

3 Which words are made from these two words?
…………………………………. breakfast + lunch
…………………………………. emotion + icon
…………………………………. Spanish + English
…………………………………. motor + hotel
…………………………………. situation comedy
…………………………………. shopping + alcoholic

4 Use a portmanteau to complete each of these sentences.

1 One of the best places for ………………………………… in our city is the restaurant at the Central Hotel. They offer a wide variety of food in their buffet and you can eat as much as you like.

2 Every evening, the sports presenter on the news presents an …………………………………. Often, cars are advertised.

3 You won't want to miss this one! Take a moment to register for our next …………………………………. Robert Plant will share tips for improving reading speed.

4 The company directors took off and landed at the hotel ……………………………………….. .

5 When we checked into the …………………………………… it was already dark.


Key

1. guesstimate, smog, internet.
2. Brad Angelina, Fan magazine, Helicopter airport, electronic mail, international network, information commercial.
3. brunch, emoticon, Spanglish, motel, sitcom, shopaholic.
4. 1 brunch 2. infocommercial 3. webinar 4. heliport 5. motel

Portmanteau words

1 Find the portmanteau words in the text formed from the two words on the right.
Example
blog web + log
…………………………………. guess + estimate
…………………………………. smoke + fog
…………………………………. international + network
........................................... web + seminar

2 Which words have been used to make these portmanteau words?
Brangelina …………………………………. ………………………………….
fanzine …………………………………. ………………………………….
heliport …………………………………. ………………………………….
email …………………………………. ………………………………….
internet …………………………………. ………………………………….
infocommercial …………………………………. ………………………………….

3 Which words are made from these two words?
…………………………………. breakfast + lunch
…………………………………. emotion + icon
…………………………………. Spanish + English
…………………………………. motor + hotel
…………………………………. situation comedy
…………………………………. shopping + alcoholic

4 Use a portmanteau to complete each of these sentences.

1 One of the best places for ………………………………… in our city is the restaurant at the Central Hotel. They offer a wide variety of food in their buffet and you can eat as much as you like.

2 Every evening, the sports presenter on the news presents an …………………………………. Often, cars are advertised.

3 You won't want to miss this one! Take a moment to register for our next …………………………………. Robert Plant will share tips for improving reading speed.

4 The company directors took off and landed at the hotel ……………………………………….. .

5 When we checked into the …………………………………… it was already dark.


Key

1. guesstimate, smog, internet.
2. Brad Angelina, Fan magazine, Helicopter airport, electronic mail, international network, information commercial.
3. brunch, emoticon, Spanglish, motel, sitcom, shopaholic.
4. 1 brunch 2. infocommercial 3. webinar 4. heliport 5. motel

Smoking ban lights up love life

The days when smoking was cool are supposed to be long gone and smokers are supposed to be out of fashion. That's the theory. In fact, in Ireland, where a complete ban on smoking in bars, pubs and restaurants has been in place for over a year, having a quick drag has replaced speed dating as the best way to spice up your love life.

The cosy courtyard of the Temple Bar pub in Dublin looks like any other outdoor venue on a sunny evening. People stand around drinking, gossiping and moaning about work. But look closer and you'll find a different situation. Everyone is smoking and, in between drags, they are practising their best, light-hearted chat-up lines as well.

Welcome to the practice of smirting (smoking and flirting), a craze which has swept Ireland. Since the introduction of the ban in 2004, pubs and bars opened outside areas for smokers to gather and with them came a more relaxed attitude to meeting people. Now people find themselves striking up conversations over a quick fag.

On one level, it is unsurprising that those hanging out in smoking areas seem to be having more fun. Smoking is an intrinsically social habit. You meet a wider mix of people and the opportunities to start a conversation are many and easy. Nor is it simply hardened smokers who hang out outside, there are also people who weren't really smokers at all but they'd go outside for a cigarette.

This increase in social smoking is one of the more worrying aspects of smirting. Anti-smoking campaigners believed that the ban would improve health and stop people smoking. But many young Dubliners admit that they have increased their consumption of cigarettes because of the social benefits.

Question 1 Decide whether the following statements are true or false. Give evidence from the text.

a) Smirting is very popular in Ireland.
b) Nowadays, people who smoke have more chances to chat with new people.
c) Only regular smokers are found in these open spaces.
d) Young Irish smoke more now than they used to do.

Question 2 Answer the following questions in your own words.

a) Why is it said that smoking is a social habit?
b) What is the most negative aspect of smirting?

Question 3 Find words in the text that are synonyms of the words below.

a) prohibition (par.1)
b) complain (par.2)
c) start (par.3)

Question 4 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a) Anti-smoking campaigners supposed that the ban would improve people’s health.
The ban…
b) Since the introduction of the ban in 2004, pubs and bars have opened outside areas for smokers.
If the ban…
c) People stand around drinking, gossiping and moaning about work. However, look closer and the situation is different.
Although…

Question 5. Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
What do you think of the smoking ban introduced in Spain?

Smoking ban lights up love life

The days when smoking was cool are supposed to be long gone and smokers are supposed to be out of fashion. That's the theory. In fact, in Ireland, where a complete ban on smoking in bars, pubs and restaurants has been in place for over a year, having a quick drag has replaced speed dating as the best way to spice up your love life.

The cosy courtyard of the Temple Bar pub in Dublin looks like any other outdoor venue on a sunny evening. People stand around drinking, gossiping and moaning about work. But look closer and you'll find a different situation. Everyone is smoking and, in between drags, they are practising their best, light-hearted chat-up lines as well.

Welcome to the practice of smirting (smoking and flirting), a craze which has swept Ireland. Since the introduction of the ban in 2004, pubs and bars opened outside areas for smokers to gather and with them came a more relaxed attitude to meeting people. Now people find themselves striking up conversations over a quick fag.

On one level, it is unsurprising that those hanging out in smoking areas seem to be having more fun. Smoking is an intrinsically social habit. You meet a wider mix of people and the opportunities to start a conversation are many and easy. Nor is it simply hardened smokers who hang out outside, there are also people who weren't really smokers at all but they'd go outside for a cigarette.

This increase in social smoking is one of the more worrying aspects of smirting. Anti-smoking campaigners believed that the ban would improve health and stop people smoking. But many young Dubliners admit that they have increased their consumption of cigarettes because of the social benefits.

Question 1 Decide whether the following statements are true or false. Give evidence from the text.

a) Smirting is very popular in Ireland.
b) Nowadays, people who smoke have more chances to chat with new people.
c) Only regular smokers are found in these open spaces.
d) Young Irish smoke more now than they used to do.

Question 2 Answer the following questions in your own words.

a) Why is it said that smoking is a social habit?
b) What is the most negative aspect of smirting?

Question 3 Find words in the text that are synonyms of the words below.

a) prohibition (par.1)
b) complain (par.2)
c) start (par.3)

Question 4 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a) Anti-smoking campaigners supposed that the ban would improve people’s health.
The ban…
b) Since the introduction of the ban in 2004, pubs and bars have opened outside areas for smokers.
If the ban…
c) People stand around drinking, gossiping and moaning about work. However, look closer and the situation is different.
Although…

Question 5. Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
What do you think of the smoking ban introduced in Spain?

Acronyms

Name the Acronym


Fill in the blank with the correct acronym from the box.


BBL / CUL8R / TTFN / PMJI

FYI / LOL / FAQ / GTG

IDK / BTW / ASAP / SETE


1. laugh out loud _______________________

2. smiling ear to ear ________________________

3. got to go ____________________________

4. by the way ___________________________

5. I don´t know _________________________

6. Ta Ta for now ________________________

7. pardon my jumping in __________________

8. see you later _________________________

9. be back later _________________________

10. as soon as possible ___________________

11. frequently asked questions _____________

12. for your information __________________


Key to” Name the Acronym”


1. LOL
2. SETE
3. GTG
4. BTW
5. IDK
6. TTFN
7. PMJI
8. CUL8R
9. BBL
10. ASAP
11. FAQ
12. FYI

Acronyms

Name the Acronym


Fill in the blank with the correct acronym from the box.


BBL / CUL8R / TTFN / PMJI

FYI / LOL / FAQ / GTG

IDK / BTW / ASAP / SETE


1. laugh out loud _______________________

2. smiling ear to ear ________________________

3. got to go ____________________________

4. by the way ___________________________

5. I don´t know _________________________

6. Ta Ta for now ________________________

7. pardon my jumping in __________________

8. see you later _________________________

9. be back later _________________________

10. as soon as possible ___________________

11. frequently asked questions _____________

12. for your information __________________


Key to” Name the Acronym”


1. LOL
2. SETE
3. GTG
4. BTW
5. IDK
6. TTFN
7. PMJI
8. CUL8R
9. BBL
10. ASAP
11. FAQ
12. FYI

China Protects its Language from English

Chinese authorities have taken steps to protect its language from the increasing use of English and other languages. The People’s Daily Online website says, “with economic and social development, foreign languages are increasingly being used in all types of publications in China, including in newspapers, books, e-books and on the Internet”. China’s General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) said the invasion of English words and abbreviations in Chinese texts is “abusing the language”. Its website stated English has, "severely damaged the standard and purity of the Chinese language and disrupted the harmonious and healthy language and cultural environment, causing negative social impacts".

Officials from GAPP issued clear guidelines on how all Chinese publishers must now act, saying: “It is banned to mix at will foreign language phrases such as English words or abbreviations with Chinese publications, creating words of vague meaning that are not exactly Chinese.” This means abbreviations and acronyms that are currently widely used in Chinese publications, such as WTO, GDP and even IBM, must now be replaced with their Chinese equivalents. One editor at a Beijing publishing house said the translations would be time-consuming and confusing. He said: “I wonder how many people understand 'guoji shangye jiqi gongsi,’ when IBM is instantly recognizable.”

Question 1 (2 points)
Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a.The department is only concerned about the purity of the Chinese language
b.It’s not OK to use English in a word combination with a Chinese word.
c.There are rules for publishers on alternatives to foreign languages.
d.All Chinese editors of publishers think the new rules are sensible.

Question 2 (2 points)
Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. What has caused the “invasion“ of English in the Chinese language and what are its effects?
b. What will publishers have to do now?

Question 3 (1.5 points)
Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

a. upset (par1)
b. as one pleases (par2)
c. unclear (par2)

Question 4 (1.5 points)
Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a. Foreign languages are increasingly being used in newspapers
They .....................................
b. One editor at a Beijing publishing house said the translations would be time-consuming and confusing.
One editor said “...........................................
c. The department has taken action because English is abusing thir language.
If .................................

Question 5(3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
How much has English got into your language?

China Protects its Language from English

Chinese authorities have taken steps to protect its language from the increasing use of English and other languages. The People’s Daily Online website says, “with economic and social development, foreign languages are increasingly being used in all types of publications in China, including in newspapers, books, e-books and on the Internet”. China’s General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) said the invasion of English words and abbreviations in Chinese texts is “abusing the language”. Its website stated English has, "severely damaged the standard and purity of the Chinese language and disrupted the harmonious and healthy language and cultural environment, causing negative social impacts".

Officials from GAPP issued clear guidelines on how all Chinese publishers must now act, saying: “It is banned to mix at will foreign language phrases such as English words or abbreviations with Chinese publications, creating words of vague meaning that are not exactly Chinese.” This means abbreviations and acronyms that are currently widely used in Chinese publications, such as WTO, GDP and even IBM, must now be replaced with their Chinese equivalents. One editor at a Beijing publishing house said the translations would be time-consuming and confusing. He said: “I wonder how many people understand 'guoji shangye jiqi gongsi,’ when IBM is instantly recognizable.”

Question 1 (2 points)
Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a.The department is only concerned about the purity of the Chinese language
b.It’s not OK to use English in a word combination with a Chinese word.
c.There are rules for publishers on alternatives to foreign languages.
d.All Chinese editors of publishers think the new rules are sensible.

Question 2 (2 points)
Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. What has caused the “invasion“ of English in the Chinese language and what are its effects?
b. What will publishers have to do now?

Question 3 (1.5 points)
Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

a. upset (par1)
b. as one pleases (par2)
c. unclear (par2)

Question 4 (1.5 points)
Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a. Foreign languages are increasingly being used in newspapers
They .....................................
b. One editor at a Beijing publishing house said the translations would be time-consuming and confusing.
One editor said “...........................................
c. The department has taken action because English is abusing thir language.
If .................................

Question 5(3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
How much has English got into your language?

I don't like fish, Mom

I don't like fish, Mom

Top 10 Most Annoying Phrases

Top 10 Most Annoying Phrases

By John Scott Lewinski November 07, 2008
Not all University of Oxford researchers are uptight and humorless, "irregardless" of what you might think. In fact, a bunch of them compiled a list of the Top 10 Most Irritating Expressions in the English language -- just because we needed one.

Though maybe "you could care less," the scholars in question keep track of linguistic mangling and overused buzzwords in a database called the Oxford University Corpus. The voluminous record keeps track of books, magazines, broadcast, online media and other sources, watching for new overused, tiresome phrases and retiring those that fade from use (or misuse).

The great hierarchy of verbal fatigue includes:
1 - At the end of the day
2 - Fairly unique
3 - I personally
4 - At this moment in time
5 - With all due respect
6 - Absolutely
7 - It's a nightmare
8 - Shouldn't of
9 - 24/7
10 - It's not rocket science

A Damp Squid: The English Language Laid Bare is a new book by Jeremy Butterfield that "takes a thorough look at the English language and exposes its peculiarities and penchants, its development and difficulties, revealing exactly how it operates."

I'm a notorious pain-in-the-neck when it comes to poor word choice and business-speak. The words above (and so many more) are crutches for weak vocabularies.

My most hated fake/real word is incentivize. Eg. "I will incentivize the staff with a talk titled RIP Good Times."

I also get annoyed when people start statements with "hopefully", as in "Hopefully, someone will read this post and leave a comment that illustrates my genius."

For the record I take no responsibility for my own actions or statements.

Top 10 Most Annoying Phrases

Top 10 Most Annoying Phrases

By John Scott Lewinski November 07, 2008
Not all University of Oxford researchers are uptight and humorless, "irregardless" of what you might think. In fact, a bunch of them compiled a list of the Top 10 Most Irritating Expressions in the English language -- just because we needed one.

Though maybe "you could care less," the scholars in question keep track of linguistic mangling and overused buzzwords in a database called the Oxford University Corpus. The voluminous record keeps track of books, magazines, broadcast, online media and other sources, watching for new overused, tiresome phrases and retiring those that fade from use (or misuse).

The great hierarchy of verbal fatigue includes:
1 - At the end of the day
2 - Fairly unique
3 - I personally
4 - At this moment in time
5 - With all due respect
6 - Absolutely
7 - It's a nightmare
8 - Shouldn't of
9 - 24/7
10 - It's not rocket science

A Damp Squid: The English Language Laid Bare is a new book by Jeremy Butterfield that "takes a thorough look at the English language and exposes its peculiarities and penchants, its development and difficulties, revealing exactly how it operates."

I'm a notorious pain-in-the-neck when it comes to poor word choice and business-speak. The words above (and so many more) are crutches for weak vocabularies.

My most hated fake/real word is incentivize. Eg. "I will incentivize the staff with a talk titled RIP Good Times."

I also get annoyed when people start statements with "hopefully", as in "Hopefully, someone will read this post and leave a comment that illustrates my genius."

For the record I take no responsibility for my own actions or statements.

I don't speak English

I don't speak English