Language's Most Whimsical Wordplay: How Fictional Words Cast a Spell On Us
In the world of words, some phrases can transport you to fantastical realms with just one glance. Take for instance "scrumdiddlyumptious," "whizzpopper" or "trogglehumper." These invented expressions were created by none other than Roald Dahl and are featured in his beloved classic, The BFG.
According to linguist Adele Goldberg of Princeton University, coined words – also known as sniglets – have a special ability to create a sense of shared intimacy with the audience. "Coining a new word can create a kind of secret handshake – a sense of familiarity," she explains. This is especially evident in Shakespeare's works where he created words by splicing together parts of existing expressions.
In today's world, we often rely on familiar words to convey meaning and context. However, when used judiciously, invented words can add depth, humor, and whimsy to a narrative. Gary Lupyan, professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin, notes that "words like 'horrendible' in Wicked are not meant to communicate a different sense of 'horrible.' Rather, they're used to immerse the audience in a world where things are a little different and weird."
These whimsical words often strike a balance between the known and unknown, creating an enchanting experience for the reader or listener. According to linguist Daniela Landert of Heidelberg University, invented words can also be used as tools for character development, shaping their identity through language use.
One notable example is Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland where fantastical neologisms like "mimsy" and "slithy" create a unique atmosphere. While some argue that the primary function of these made-up words is to evoke emotions, Landert suggests that their true purpose lies in inviting audience participation through ambiguity.
Ultimately, it's this delicate balance between recognition and surprise that makes invented words so captivating. As linguist Adele Goldberg puts it, "it's where recognition meets surprise – that's where our sniglets live, and that's where language keeps reminding us it's a game we all get to play."
The use of whimsical words in storytelling is far from new. From Shakespeare to Roald Dahl, authors have long employed invented expressions to transport their audience into fantastical worlds. Whether used for emotional resonance or character development, these neologisms add depth, complexity and an air of magic to a narrative.
In the world of language, there's no shortage of whimsy to be found – all we need is a pinch of creativity, a dash of imagination and a healthy dose of linguistic playfulness. As Lewis Carroll so aptly put it, "the word that is worth using is one that will never be used again."
In the world of words, some phrases can transport you to fantastical realms with just one glance. Take for instance "scrumdiddlyumptious," "whizzpopper" or "trogglehumper." These invented expressions were created by none other than Roald Dahl and are featured in his beloved classic, The BFG.
According to linguist Adele Goldberg of Princeton University, coined words – also known as sniglets – have a special ability to create a sense of shared intimacy with the audience. "Coining a new word can create a kind of secret handshake – a sense of familiarity," she explains. This is especially evident in Shakespeare's works where he created words by splicing together parts of existing expressions.
In today's world, we often rely on familiar words to convey meaning and context. However, when used judiciously, invented words can add depth, humor, and whimsy to a narrative. Gary Lupyan, professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin, notes that "words like 'horrendible' in Wicked are not meant to communicate a different sense of 'horrible.' Rather, they're used to immerse the audience in a world where things are a little different and weird."
These whimsical words often strike a balance between the known and unknown, creating an enchanting experience for the reader or listener. According to linguist Daniela Landert of Heidelberg University, invented words can also be used as tools for character development, shaping their identity through language use.
One notable example is Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland where fantastical neologisms like "mimsy" and "slithy" create a unique atmosphere. While some argue that the primary function of these made-up words is to evoke emotions, Landert suggests that their true purpose lies in inviting audience participation through ambiguity.
Ultimately, it's this delicate balance between recognition and surprise that makes invented words so captivating. As linguist Adele Goldberg puts it, "it's where recognition meets surprise – that's where our sniglets live, and that's where language keeps reminding us it's a game we all get to play."
The use of whimsical words in storytelling is far from new. From Shakespeare to Roald Dahl, authors have long employed invented expressions to transport their audience into fantastical worlds. Whether used for emotional resonance or character development, these neologisms add depth, complexity and an air of magic to a narrative.
In the world of language, there's no shortage of whimsy to be found – all we need is a pinch of creativity, a dash of imagination and a healthy dose of linguistic playfulness. As Lewis Carroll so aptly put it, "the word that is worth using is one that will never be used again."
- they're like magic spells that transport you to another world! I love how authors like Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll use invented expressions to create a sense of whimsy and wonder. It's like they're sharing a secret handshake with the audience, making us feel all warm and fuzzy inside 
. And can we talk about character development? Using made-up words to shape someone's identity is genius! I mean, who wouldn't want to be a Trogglehumper 
? The thing is, these whimsical words strike this perfect balance between the known and unknown, leaving us feeling both familiar and surprised all at once. It's like language is a game we get to play, and invented words are the ultimate power-up 
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I mean, have you seen the words Roald Dahl came up with? Like, "scrumdiddlyumptious" is just too much 
. It's crazy how some of these words can transport you to another world and make you feel like a kid again. And it's true, when used right, they can add this whole new level of depth and emotion to a story. I love how linguists are studying all this too 
. Like, who knew words could be so magical? The more I think about it, the more I want to start making up my own whimsical words 
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The way linguists are talking about how invented words can be used for character development is so cool too! It's like, we get to see a whole new side of language and creativity. And I love that one quote about the word being worth using if it'll never be used again 
. Language is just the best, you know?
. I mean, remember that famous phrase "We're all in this together"? It's like a made-up word that just happened to resonate deeply with people during a time of crisis 
. Same idea here - when we create new words, we're not just creating a sense of wonder or whimsy, we're also tapping into our collective imagination and creating a shared experience.
. We might not always agree on their policies, but we can appreciate the art of language they use to connect with us 
. But, I gotta say, some of these invented expressions can be a bit much 
. It's like, I get that "horrendible" isn't just "bad" – it's more like... intense or unsettling? 
But hey, whatever works for the story, right?
. Anyway, back to this article... I love how invented words can add depth and humor to a story. It's like they're little secrets that only the reader gets to enjoy, you know? And I think it's so cool how authors use them to create unique atmospheres in their stories. Reminds me of my favorite childhood book, Where the Wild Things Are 
...
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. And I love how linguists are highlighting the importance of audience participation through ambiguity... like when Alice in Wonderland introduces us to all these weird and wonderful neologisms 
! Who needs ordinary words when you can invent your own and transport readers into a fantastical world? And I have to agree with Lewis Carroll - "the word that is worth using is one that will never be used again" 
. That's like the ultimate goal of linguistic creativity, right?
But seriously, it's fascinating how linguists like Adele Goldberg and Daniela Landert are analyzing the psychology behind why these words have such a captivating effect on us.
. Anyway, I think it's awesome that linguists are all about exploring the magic of language 
. Let's keep spreading the love for linguistic playfulness and creativity 
!
. It's really frustrating when I'm trying to quickly scan a page and my eyes get tired from all the visual noise. Can't we just go back to a clean design like this forum used to have? 
