Motor + Hotel = Motel

You use at least one of these portmanteaus without knowing their origin

Credit: Joshua Hoehne

Despite the sophisticated name, a portmanteau is nothing but two words mashed together into a single entity that combines both concepts. Many of these terms have become part of our everyday vocabulary. Let’s take a look at 12 everyday examples, where their origins come from, and how we use them today.

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If you have seen The Office, Parks and Recreation, or Spinal Tap, then you know what a mockumentary is: a movie or TV show filmed in the style of a documentary, but with fictional or humorous content. It combines "mock" and "documentary."

The term took off in the 1980s with examples of the genre, like the aforementioned Spinal Tap, and became more common in the 1990s, with some famous television shows.

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"Blog" is short for "web log," coined in the 1990s to describe online journals. Early bloggers shared personal thoughts and links in simple posts.

Since then, blogging has exploded into professional media, with blogs covering news, travel, fashion, and more. They remain a key form of online expression and influence.

Credit: Glenn Carstens-Peters

Netiquette is the blend of "internet" and "etiquette." It refers to the rules of polite and respectful online communication.

The word dates back to the early days of the internet, when online forums and emails were taking shape. It’s still relevant today as people navigate social media and digital spaces in a respectful manner.

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Sitcom stands for "situational comedy," a scripted TV format built around recurring characters in humorous scenarios.

Popularized in the 1950s, sitcoms like I Love Lucy and Cheers shaped American television. The style remains alive today in shows like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and other current examples.

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Glamping, a portmanteau of "glamorous" and "camping," describes outdoor stays with luxury comforts. Think tents with beds, electricity, or even Wi-Fi.

The word gained popularity in the 2000s as travelers sought unique, Instagram-worthy experiences. It bridges rustic adventure with modern convenience.

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Podcast merges "iPod" and "broadcast." Coined in the early 2000s, it referred to digital audio shows that were often downloaded to portable players.

Now, podcasts are a mainstream medium, covering every topic from true crime to education. Accessible via apps, they’ve become the radio of the internet age.

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The word cosplay is a portmanteau of "costume" and "play," originating in Japan in the 1980s. It refers to dressing as characters from comics, anime, or films.

The practice spread worldwide and is now a big part of fan conventions everywhere.

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The term mansplain blends "man" and "explain." It refers to when a man explains something condescendingly, often to a woman.

The word gained traction in the late 2000s through blogs and social commentary. It’s widely used today in discussions about gender and communication.

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Another man-themed portmanteau, murse comes from "man" and "purse." It playfully describes a handbag or satchel carried by men.

Though sometimes used jokingly, the term reflects shifting fashion norms. Today, stylish bags for men can be seen in many places.

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A term that became popular during the 1980s, a fanzine combines "fan" and "magazine." It describes DIY publications created by enthusiasts, often about music, comics, or niche hobbies.

First appearing in the mid-20th century, fanzines let fans share ideas before the internet. They’ve since evolved online but still hold a cult appeal in print.

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Chortle, a blend of "chuckle" and "snort," was coined by the writer Lewis Carroll in his 1871 poem Jabberwocky. It means a joyful, snorting laugh.

The word caught on, entering dictionaries and everyday use. Today, "chortle" can still be read in many different environments as a description of the same action.

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Frappuccino merges "frappé" and "cappuccino." Starbucks trademarked it in the 1990s for its blended coffee drinks.

The word now instantly conjures images of iced, creamy concoctions. It’s a marketing success story that made its way from a single company to virtually every coffee shop in the world.

A lesson in good marketing

10 brands that became generic names of a product

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When thinking about a certain product, we can all point to a brand that is the most known. But sometimes, a brand will be so popular that it will become the generic name of the product. Let’s have a look at 10 brands that have become a synonym for the product’s name.

Chapstick

Credit: Melissa Di Rocco

A staple in the wintertime, Chapstick is actually a well-known brand of lip balm that has been around since the late 19th Century. With a trajectory that long, it’s no surprise that the name has become synonymous with the product.

Crock-Pot

Credit: Zhisheng Deng

What family has not been saved by a Crock-Pot on a busy day? This appliance lets you cook food at a steady temperature and a slow pace, and its actual name (slow cooker) reflects that. However, the Crock-Pot brand of slow cookers is so popular that it is used as a generic name.

Jacuzzi

Credit: Zoe Stefanatou

Jacuzzis are a great way to destress after a hectic week and to relieve body pains. However, what we colloquially call ‘a jacuzzi’ is in fact a hot tub (sometimes called a whirlpool tub). The Jacuzzi company not only sells hot tubs, but also products such as mattresses and towels.

Kleenex

Credit: Christopher Bill

You might know this one: kleenex are not really called kleenex, but facial tissues. The Kleenex brand offers a wide range of products, most of them paper-based, with tissues being one of the best-known.

Memory Stick

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What do you use for transferring archives and data between computers? If you said ‘Memory stick’, you are wrong (unless it's from the brand Sony). The proper generic name for this device is flash memory storage device.

Ping Pong

Credit: Lisa Keffer

The name ‘ping pong’ is so common that we sometimes forget that the sport’s actual name is table tennis. Ping Pong is a trademarked name, nearly a hundred years old.

Scotch Tape

Credit: Jo Szczepanska

The use of ‘scotch tape’ as a generic name is so widespread that it even appears in some dictionaries. However, its correct name is clear adhesive tape, which sometimes is from the Scotch Tape brand.

Tupperware

Credit: S'well

The prized possession of many mothers around the world, the Tupperware brand is one of the best-known when it comes to kitchen products. Its containers are particularly famous, and the brand name is often used for any plastic container.

Zipper

Credit: Marcus Urbenz

No one can argue that the word zipper is part of the common lexicon and it’s used in a generic sense. But the word has been trademarked by the Universal Fastener Company since 1917. Similar products from different brands should be called ‘separable fasteners’.

Frisbee

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The use of this word as generic involves a legal battle between Wham-O (the original trademark owner) and another toy company that argued that the word ‘frisbee’ had been incorporated into the common language as generic. The court ruled in favor of the original company, so off-brand frisbees are still legally called flying disks.