neologism

a.k.a. portmanteau

A word, term, or expression that has been invented in order to define a new meaning. For example, "wallpaper" originally referred only to the material you would use to cover a room's walls; now, it also refers to the colors or images that adorn your desktop.

The rate of neologisms has increased dramatically with the introduction of new technology and the Internet, producing many of the words found in NetLingo (such as emoticon and netiquette).

NetLingo Classification: Online Jargon

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