meaning - Are there rules for constructing portmanteaux?


Lewis Carroll popularized the use and creation of (what may be considered to be) a special form of compound or conjoined words. I propose that these are different than other compound words (e.g., per the comments, “grimdark” from grim+dark)


Since the concept of a portmanteau is by nature poetic and inventive, I think it is most productive to focus on the notion of disallowed constructions.


For instance, I think that a portmanteau:




  • cannot use a classical prefix or suffix as one half of the constructed word.


    (unbor, as un + bor-rowed )




  • cannot have parts that are, themselves, whole words


    (e.g. understanding)




Either way, do rules exist in the construction of portmanteaux?


Do all portmanteaux by nature have a light-hearted tone? Must they “sound good”? Or does their “lightness” arise from the wit used to create them?


(edit: incorporated comments)




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