Portmanteau Words

Portmanteau Words are the one that blend the sounds and the meanings of two words. The word Portmanteau is derived from the French word portmanteau, combined from porter (to carry) and manteau(mantle). While these Words originated in 16th century, Lewis Carroll is credited with coining this word (in Through the Looking Glass) based on the fact that portmanteau bag is one that opens into two equal parts.

However, many such Words catch on and latch on to the lexicon. Others do not and simply fade away into silent sunsets, having enjoyed their 15 minutes of glory.

Here is the complete list of Portmanteau words that the visitors could use in their communication. The visitors are welcome to send in the Portmanteau words that they come across to us so that we will add those words in this list and acknowledging the sender.

The meanings of all such words are apparent from the combination. Most of these words will not be found in standard dictionaries. But, the visitors can use their grey cells in putting the meanings of the two and two together to deduce the meaning of these words.

Absatively = absolutely + positively (This word was sent to us by our friend Celeste from USA.)

1. Adflation = advertising + inflation

2. Beautility = beauty + utility

3. Bit = binary + digit

4. Bitini = bitsy + bikini

5. Bonk= bang + conk

6. Brunch = breakfast + lunch

7. Camcorder = camera + recorder

8. Chortle = chuckle + snort

9. Cremains = cremated + remains

10. Chunnel= channel + tunnel

11. Diplonomics=diplomacy + economics

12. E-commerce = electronic + commerce

13. Email= electronic + mail

14. Faction= fact + fiction

15. Fantabulous= fantastic+ fabulous

16. Fanzine= fanatic + magazine

17. Feminar= feminine + seminar

18. Frarority= fraternity + sorority

19. Gasohol= gasoline + alcohol

20. Ginormous= gigantic + enormous

21. Guestimate= guess + estimate

22. Hi-tech= high + technology

23. Heliport + helicopter + airport

24. Internet = international + network

25. Interpol- international + police

26. Jackpot= jack + pot

27. Jaywalk= jay + walk

28. Jerkwater = jerk + water

29. Joypad= joystick + pad

30. Laundromat = laundry + automat

31. Manimal = man + animal

32. Medevac = medical + evacuation

33. Medicare = medical + care

34. Mobike= motor + bike

35. Moped= motor + pedal

36. Motel= motor + hotel

37. Motorcade= motorcar + cavalcade

38. Newscast = news + broadcast

39. Oxbridge = Oxford + Cambridge

40. Paratroop = parachute + troop

41. Sci-Fi= science + fiction

42. Sexploitation= sex+ exploitation

43. Shamateur= sham+ amateur

44. Smog = smoke + fog

45. Splurge= splash+ surge

46. Telecast= television + broadcast

47. Telecom = telephone + conversation

48. Televangelist= television + evangelist

49. Transistor= transfer + resistor

50. Vash= volcanic + ash

51. Workfar= work + welfare

The Beloved visitors are welcome to report the Portmanteau Words that they may know to us so that those words will be added to this list.

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