Emphasising neologisms.

Question

If, when writing a short story, I neologise, should I italicise the neologism?(And do pardon the neologism in the above sentence. It was irresistable.) -- Lee J. Moore http://cafe-society.com

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]If, when writing a short story, I neologise, should I italicise the neologism? (And do pardon the neologism in the above sentence. It was irresistable.)[/nq]
I am having trouble detecting the new word in the above. Other than a new version of irresistible, ;-) -- Peg

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]If, when writing a short story, I neologise, should I italicise the neologism? (And do pardon the neologism in the above sentence. It was irresistable.)[/nq]
[nq:1]I am having trouble detecting the new word in the above. Other than a new version of irresistible, ;-)[/nq]
Doh! I neologised deliberately and by accident.

I didn't think neologise was a word (it's not in any of my dictionaries), but a Google revealed this:

"And give the word neologism to our language, as a root, and it should give us it's fellow substantives, neology, neologist, neologisation; it's adjectives neologous, neological, neologistical, it's verb neologise, and adverb neologically."

Will there be no end to my embarrassment? ;) -- Lee J. Moore http://cafe-society.com

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2] I am having trouble detecting the new word in the above. Other than anew version of irresistible, ;-)[/nq]
[nq:1]Doh! I neologised deliberately and by accident.

I didn't think neologise was a word (it's not in any of ... it's adjectives neologous, neological, neologistical, it's verbneologise, and adverb neologically." Will there be no end to my embarrassment?

--[/nq]
There is no new thing under the sun.
From Dictionary.com Word of the Day (November 18, 2000):
The French word neologisme, from which the English is borrowed, is made up of *neo-*, new + *log-*, word + *-isme*, -ism (all of which ultimately derive from Greek).

A neologist_ is one who introduces new words or new senses of old words into a language; _neologistic_, or _neologistical_, describes that which pertains to _neology_, which is the introduction of a new word, or of words or significations, into a language; to _neologize_ is to coin or use neologisms; and _neologization is the act or process of doing so.
--
If you've ever heard yourself saying, "He was, I don't know, squidgeral," or thought, "I wish there were a word for 'needing more than two hands to operate,"' you are probably a closet neologist. Neologizing, the practice of coining new words, may seem to be an arcane, specialized activity, but it's everywhere -- and the skillful employment of neologism is what gives English much of its verve. (Erin McKean, The New York Times, August 25, 2002)
--
Regards,

masakim

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Will there be no end to my embarrassment?

[/nq]
We've all been there, done that, believe me. I checked and checked before posting, in case I ended up being crimson. No worries. Hope the short story writing goes well. :-) -- Peg

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1] in message We've all been there, done that, believe me. I checked and checked before posting, in case I ended up being crimson. No worries. Hope the short story writing goes well. :-) -- Peg[/nq]
Ooops! See what I mean? Sorry Peter! -- Peg

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2] I am having trouble detecting the new word in the above. Other than a new version of irresistible, ;-)[/nq]
[nq:1]Doh! I neologised deliberately and by accident.

I didn't think neologise was a word (it's not in any of ... it's adjectives neologous, neological, neologistical, it's verb neologise, and adverb neologically." Will there be no end to my embarrassment?

[/nq]
Not yet!

With -ize in place of -ise (always worth trying): http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=1&q=neologize

ne·ol·o·gize ( P ) Pronunciation Key (n-l-jz) intr.v. ne·ol·o·gized, ne·ol·o·giz·ing, ne·ol·o·giz·es To coin or use neologisms.

Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

neologize

\Ne*ol"o*gize\, v. i. 1. To introduce or use new words or terms or new uses of old words.

2. To introduce innovations in doctrine, esp. in theological doctrine.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

-- Peter Duncanson UK (posting from u.c.l.e)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]If, when writing a short story, I neologise, should I italicise the neologism? (And do pardon the neologism in the above sentence. It was irresistable.)[/nq]
I opinionise that it's up to you.

dg

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]If, when writing a short story, I neologise, should I italicise the neologism? (And do pardon the neologism in the above sentence. It was irresistable.)[/nq]
[nq:1]I opinionise that it's up to you. dg[/nq]
Just be sure to put one of these © next to it.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]If, when writing a short story, I neologise, should I italicise the neologism? (And do pardon the neologism in the above sentence. It was irresistable.)[/nq]
[nq:1]I opinionise that it's up to you. It seems to me that a good neologism is one that enriches the ... one, and 'opinionise' is not. Whether you want to italicise it is indeed your choice, but Bill Shakespeare never did.[/nq]
Doug
brain under construction

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]I opinionise that it's up to you. [/nq]
[nq:1]It seems to me that a good neologism is one that enriches the language with a word whose meaning would ... one, and 'opinionise' is not. Whether you want to italicise it is indeed your choice, but Bill Shakespeare never did.[/nq]
How do we know that?

John Briggs

Emphasising neologisms.

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