Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2020 May 21

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May 21

Word for a 'neologism created solely for its humoristic effect'

Is there a word for a 'neologism created solely for its humoristic effect', for example: 'noise-machine' (radio), pill-popper (pharmacist), etc.? (It doesn't necessarily need to be a new word for a new thing, but can also be a new word for something that already exists.) Servien (talk) 16:37, 21 May 2020 (UTC)

The term Boob tube comes to mind, as a term for television, and the link calls it "slang". ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 18:22, 21 May 2020 (UTC)

(edit conflict) :See: Neologism (however, article needs work). Per your examples, hyphenated words generally would not be considered neologisms. AFAIK, a humorous neologism is just that. 107.15.157.44 (talk) 18:26, 21 May 2020 (UTC)

For a word only intended to be used once, see: Nonce word. 107.15.157.44 (talk) 18:59, 21 May 2020 (UTC)

Sniglet comes close; it's an "often humorous" made-up word. Clarityfiend (talk) 22:50, 21 May 2020 (UTC)

See also The Meaning of Liff, daffynition, and The Devil's Dictionary. --Khajidha (talk) 01:05, 22 May 2020 (UTC)

And the more accidental forms eggcorn, malapropism, and mondegreen. --Khajidha (talk) 01:07, 22 May 2020 (UTC)

Transparent Wall Technician is a window washer. 86.186.232.80 (talk) 09:48, 22 May 2020 (UTC)

Thanks for all the replies, but it does not exactly match my description. If it does not exist, it might be time for a neologism to define this phenomenon. Servien (talk) 18:49, 22 May 2020 (UTC)

An oldie: "clip joint" for a barber shop. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 21:05, 22 May 2020 (UTC)

With apologies to Lewis Carroll, "jabberwonky"? Clarityfiend (talk) 22:43, 22 May 2020 (UTC)