This week we enjoyed learning about different combined and created words! Students worked to recognize and use portmanteau words, clipped words, and acronyms. During the lessons, students discovered that some words are made by blending two other words rather than simply putting them together. These are called portmanteau words. The forms and meanings of the two words are blended to create a new word. For example, motel is made from motor and hotel. Other examples are spork = spoon + fork; smog = smoke + fog; and brunch = breakfast + lunch.
Another type of created word are clipped words. These words are made by shortening a longer word. For example, the word lab is short for laboratory. Gym is shortened for gymnasium. Some other examples are: ad for advertisement; dorm for dormitory; and fridge for refrigerator.
One more type of created word that we learned about are acronyms. These words are made by combining the first letter or letters of a group of words. For example, the word scuba was created from the first letters of the phrase "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus." Other examples include: FCPS for Frederick County Public Schools; TTYL for Talk To You Later; ASAP for As Soon As Possible; DOB for Date of Birth; and EST for Eastern Standard Time.
There are many more portmanteau words, clipped words, and acronyms that exist. I wonder how many the students can find while reading or completing various tasks?
