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'Obama' and its variations
The latest word to enter the English language, according to the Global Language Monitor, is 'obama' and its different variations:
"Obama is used as a 'root' for an ever-expanding number of words, including: obamamentum, obamacize, obamarama, obamaNation, obamanomics, obamican, obamafy, obamamania, and obamacam.
To enter the English language, a word has to meet certain criteria, including frequency of appearance in the written and spoken language, in the media, have a large geographic footprint, and to stand the test of time," he points out. "In the past, this process would unfold over many years, even decades or centuries. However, the Internet, with instant global communication to billions of people has radically accelerated the cycle."
(ELHAM)Tags: coinage, English
February 22, 2008
