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> I didn't realize the term applied to stuff like `sitcom` It doesn't. You might note that e.g. wiktionary categorizes motel as a "blend", but sitcom as a "sho
by thaumasiotes 1y ago
> I didn't realize the term applied to stuff like `sitcom`
It doesn't. You might note that e.g. wiktionary categorizes motel as a "blend", but sitcom as a "shortening".
- foobarbecue 1y agoMotel and sitcom are portmanteaus -- they're some of the most common examples used when defining the term "portmanteau" . "Blend" and "shortening" are necessary-but-not-sufficient synonyms for portmanteau. Your error here is that you imply "because it's a blend, it's not a portmanteau." All portmanteaus are blends. All portmanteaus are shortenings. Some blends are portmanteaus. Some shortenings are portmanteaus.