"Real" Words: What Is a Real Word, Anyway?

[whymzycal]

What makes one word more “real” than another? Are there degrees of “realness” for words?

Comments

[jedishampoo]

Oh, interesting! Some of these "common-usage-not-real" words are so ubiquitous that I often don't realize which are truly "not-real." Dictionary.com is a good place to go... though out of curiosity I looked up "sniglet" and it's actually on there, with two definitions, which cracks me up with its irony (are there actually any sniglets in usage today? I'd be curious to know.)

I love to make up words, too. ;)

[whymzycal]

I have to check myself all the time because colloquialisms and other nonstandard goodies are insidious (and so expressive!). As for sniglets, I can't think of one off the top of my head, but surely there must be some floating around somewhere. I mean, how else do exciting new words get coined?

[pinkpolarity]

I still use "nurge" for cars that incessantly creep up to and beyond the line on a red light ("stop nurging, dammit!"), and that came from NNTN.

[snailbones]

Fascinating, thank you.

[whymzycal]

You're most welcome!

[diebirchen]

And what say we to those of us who use archaic terms regularly, even if only in the warped recesses of our own minds? They are definitely "real," but once no longer used in common parlance, not really understood by the vast majority of even "educated" speakers, [whatever that means these days] what are they? Some like "thole" [verb not a noun], sail right over the heads of nearly one and all. Then there are those that folks "get," but should one use one of them, a big "Huh?" results. "Mayn't" is a good example. I keep this stuff locked firmly locked down inside my brain for interior dialog the vast majority of the time, but it's in there rattling around. How say you?

[whymzycal]

To you I would say, "Game on!" I'd count those as real, but because English is constantly changing, using them (as you have discovered) generally results in raised eyebrows and confusion. In dealing with the majority of us, it's probably best to stick to words following these guidelines. Or start an "archaic term of the week" feature on your LJ so your interior dialog can come out and play. :)

Ack! HTML fail!

[diebirchen]

Alack, an I were so to speak, certes would folk erelong think me mad. Hell, they might even be right. But then, I've always considered normalcy a thing far over-rated. Oh, I know full well what I must say to be understood, and I do. But in my head, it is that other archaic voice -- that's who I am. Your suggestion is interesting. Mayhap. God knows I have no talent for plot construction, but in the matters of which you write, I'm spot on -- always. Rather a curse, seeing each and every tiny thing amiss in writing. Consider me as a resource. And the upshot? I beta.
signed,
the Fairy Godmother of Verbal Usage

[whymzycal]

"Mimsy" is an awesome word. I wish it were more appreciated. And hee, thank you! *squish*

[despina_moon]

This is awesome as always and your examples rule.

Thank you.

[whymzycal]

Hee, thank you!

And you're most welcome. :D