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Predicting New Words - by  Allan Metcalf (Paperback) - 1 of 1

Predicting New Words - by Allan Metcalf (Paperback)

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About this item

Highlights

  • Have you ever aspired to gain linguistic immortality by making up a word?
  • Author(s): Allan Metcalf
  • 206 Pages
  • Language + Art + Disciplines,

Description



About the Book



Have you ever aspired to gain linguistic immortality by making up a word? Many people -- such famous writers as Jonathan Swift, Lewis Carroll, and Dr. Seuss, along with many lesser-knowns -- have coined new words that have endured. But most of the new words people put forward fail to find favor. Why are some new words adopted, while others are ignored? Allan Metcalf explores this question in his fascinating look at new-word creation.
In surveying past coinages and proposed new words, Metcalf discerns lessons for linguistic longevity. He shows us, for instance, why the humorist Gelett Burgess succeeded in contributing the words blurb and bromide to the language but failed to win anyone over to bleesh or diabob. Metcalf examines terms invented to describe political causes and social phenomena (silent majority, Gen-X), terms coined in books (edge city, Catch-22), brand names and words derived from them (aspirin, Ping-Pong), and words that derive from misunderstandings (cherry, kudo). He develops a scale for predicting the success of newly coined words and uses it to foretell which emerging words will outlast the twenty-first century. In this highly original work, Metcalf shows us how to spin syllabic straw into linguistic gold.



Book Synopsis



Have you ever aspired to gain linguistic immortality by making up a word? Many people -- such famous writers as Jonathan Swift, Lewis Carroll, and Dr. Seuss, along with many lesser-knowns -- have coined new words that have endured. But most of the new words people put forward fail to find favor. Why are some new words adopted, while others are ignored? Allan Metcalf explores this question in his fascinating look at new-word creation.
In surveying past coinages and proposed new words, Metcalf discerns lessons for linguistic longevity. He shows us, for instance, why the humorist Gelett Burgess succeeded in contributing the words blurb and bromide to the language but failed to win anyone over to bleesh or diabob. Metcalf examines terms invented to describe political causes and social phenomena (silent majority, Gen-X), terms coined in books (edge city, Catch-22), brand names and words derived from them (aspirin, Ping-Pong), and words that derive from misunderstandings (cherry, kudo). He develops a scale for predicting the success of newly coined words and uses it to foretell which emerging words will outlast the twenty-first century. In this highly original work, Metcalf shows us how to spin syllabic straw into linguistic gold.



Review Quotes




"Has something for everyone . . . jam-packed with treats for word lovers." Booklist, ALA

"Just plain fun." Kirkus Reviews


Dimensions (Overall): 7.94 Inches (H) x 4.68 Inches (W) x .56 Inches (D)
Weight: .57 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 206
Genre: Language + Art + Disciplines
Publisher: Mariner Books
Theme: Sociolinguistics
Format: Paperback
Author: Allan Metcalf
Language: English
Street Date: July 14, 2004
TCIN: 85124547
UPC: 9780618130085
Item Number (DPCI): 247-54-6782
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 0.56 inches length x 4.68 inches width x 7.94 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.57 pounds
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Q: What type of content does the book include?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 4 days ago
  • A: It includes historical examples of coined words, their adoption, and lessons for creating lasting new terms.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 4 days ago
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Q: What is the main theme of the book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 4 days ago
  • A: The book explores sociolinguistics and the creation of new words, examining why some succeed while others fail.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 4 days ago
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Q: Who is the author of this book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 4 days ago
  • A: The author of the book is Allan Metcalf, known for his expertise in linguistics.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 4 days ago
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Q: What is the target audience for this book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 4 days ago
  • A: The book is suggested for readers aged 22 years and up, appealing to language enthusiasts.

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Q: How does the author predict the success of new words?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 4 days ago
  • A: Metcalf develops a scale to assess and predict which newly coined words may endure over time.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 4 days ago
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