phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Neologism

Posted by R. Berg on January 06, 2003

In Reply to: Neologism posted by Bob on January 06, 2003

: : : I came across this work in "Made in America" by Bill Bryson (a Christmas present) and thought it was interesting. Especially meaning No. 2. From Merriam-Webster online:

: : : Main Entry: ne·ol·o·gism
: : : Pronunciation: nE-'ä-l&-"ji-z&m
: : : Function: noun
: : : Etymology: French néologisme, from ne- + log- + -isme -ism
: : : Date: 1800
: : : 1 : a new word, usage, or expression
: : : 2 : a meaningless word coined by a psychotic
: : : - ne·ol·o·gis·tic /-"ä-l&-'jis-tik/ adjective

: : Is Bryson well known in the USA? He has quite a following here in the UK. Now that he has forsaken our Yorkshire Dales and gone back stateside (to New Hampshire I think) I'm starting to miss his appearences on the BBC.

: His books are popular here, but he's not as visible a personality here as in the UK. He's a great read.

Question: How to distinguish, in an individual case, between meaning #1 and meaning #2? Hmm?

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