The idea that new words can be developed, articulated and assimiliated into the English language is something I take a particular interest in.  I am a purist in the sense that I like to see a word being developed over a couple of centuries before it truly can be said to be “English” though many will disagree with me.

I had to write a piece on etymology and the reasons why we strangle our vocabulary or as some may argue, liberate it under the influence of fashion, laziness, cathartic events and a host of other factors.  Some of the words that I picked up on came from The Oxford Dictionary of New Words and some of them really made me wince, laugh and cheer at pretty much the same time.  Just to share some of the fun, here are a few examples I came across:

Nega-

A combining form used to counter the effect of mega-

Used by those who are looking to convey the effect of saving a resource or ecologcal activists.  Examples include negamiles (to describe how many miles can be saved in wasted journeys) or negawatts (to describe the megawatts of electricity that may be saved).

Lipstick Lesbian

Used to describe a lesbian of definitively feminine appearance.

Originating in the mid-eighties, it is a contradictory statement as lesbians were supposed to eschew the feminine accoutrements such as lipstick, perfumes and good female dress sense.  Currently, lipstick lesbian is used in a wider sense outside of homosexuality to describe a woman who takes a an unconventional, different direction politically or commercially.

TINA

Acronym which stands for “There Is No Alternative” originating with the Young Conservatives and indelibly associated with Margaret Thatcher. 

There are a host of other words that populate this fairly hefty dictionary - 2,000 or so to be more precise and reading the descriptions and application within the mainstream press makes for interesting reading.  What is surprising, and something I take to support my own viewpoint that messing around with the language is something that should stand the test of time before we accept it into the English fold is just how many of these “new” words have not actually made it into the mainstream consciousness.

Of the three examples above, I cannot think of a single occasion since I acquired English consciousness 35 years ago, of seeing these or any of the many other words that were introduced in the relatively recent past.  Twigloo, happy clappy, thrillcraft, karoshi, burb and car bra have come and gone sinking almost tracelessly whereas some such as “loved up” have become pretty much established and accepted.

I have the companion guide to “New Words” sitting on the table next to me - it’s The Oxford Dictionary of Slang; my initial question is what is the difference between slang and new words?

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