by Ronda Wylie

Let's Make Words!

Many people believe words in English shouldn't be changed, that they shouldn't be created, and that they are always here to stay.

But the history of the English language is more creative than that, words in English come and they go, they are created and deleted, they put on a show.

English is Creative

Hey! What are y'all doing?

Don't say y'all...y'all,

it isn't a word. Take it

from me, the Lingo Bird.

Excuse me sir, I know I am just a mouse, but isn't y'all a contraction that's been around since 1824?

All languages change over time, and English is no exception. English has borrowed many words from French as well as other languages.

A few words in French that the English language has borrowed are: table, brunette, and picnic.

Borrowing from French

You mean English can add words from other languages?

Tell me more!

Yes, it's true, my petite bird friend.

Over time English has borrowed words from many languages. Some of those languages are Celtic, French, Latin, German, Greek, Dutch, and Italian (and more!).

English also borrows words from Spanish. Rodeo, buckaroo, stampede, and ranch are just a few.

Borrowing from Spanish

Howdy Partner!

Actually 'partner' was altered from the Old French word 'parcener'.

Oh my honey, this is amazing!

Blending

When two words join together to become one word it is called blending.

A few examples of blending are: 'chillax' from chill and relax, 'brunch' from breakfast and lunch, and 'glamping' from glamour and camping.

I am so HANGRY!

Chillax my little furry friend, or should I say my "furriend".

'Hangry' is blended from hunger and angry.

Acronyms

You can create acronyms by joining the first letter from each word in a phrase. For example the word radar is an acronym from the phrase "radio detecting and ranging"

Today many acronyms of been created because of the internet and to make texting easier.

You are correct my 'buzzerific' friend. (I just made that word up.)

I think that's an acronym for 'be right back'.

BRB!