rec.puzzles Archive

What are some words formed by combining together parts of other words?

language/english/etymology/portmanteau

Problem

What are some words formed by combining together parts of other words?
Show solution
Such words are called "Portmanteau" words.  Here is a very incomplete list:
anecdotage        anecdote, dotage
beefalo                beef, buffalo
bohunk                Bohemian, Hungarian
brunch                breakfast, lunch
bumble                bungle, stumble
chortle                chuckle, snort
escalator        escalade, elevator
fantabulous        fantastic, fabulous
flabbergast        flabby, aghast
flare                flame, glare
flounder        flounce, founder
gainsay                against, say
gerrymander        Gerry (Massachusetts governor), salamander
glimmer                gleam, shimmer
glitz                glamour, ritz
glob                globe, blob
hassle                haggle, tussle
insinuendo        insinuation, innuendo
jamboree        jam, soiree
liger                lion, tiger
motel                motor, hotel
smash                smack, mash
smaze                smoke, haze
smog                smoke, fog
squawk                squall, squeak
squiggle        squirm, wiggle
tangelo                tangerine, pomelo
tigon                tiger, lion
Weejun                Norwegian, Injun
****
Unless noted otherwise, all words occur in Webster's Third New International
Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Springfield, MA, 1961.