Using a NEOLOGISM

Neologisms are newly coined words or expressions (from Greek neo for new and logos for word) that often refer to new concepts or ideas. Some are developed just for fun:

• floordrobe – an adolescent’s clothing storage system
• lexerati – the group of literati interested in new words
• linkrot – hyperlinks on a neglected website that no longer work

Many are created but few catch hold. A successful neologism is one that becomes part of our language. Here are some examples and the year they became recognised:

• mobile phone (1945)
• microchip (1969)
• google (1999)
• chav (2004)

You have to be careful when using a neologism. If it is not yet in the mainstream you risk sounding eccentric. If you don’t, you sound like you are not keeping up with the world around you.

Psychiatrists also use the term, neologism, to refer to meaningless words invented by psychotics. Don’t be mad let Madrigal Communications choose your words for you.