From smog to mother fubber

By M.S.L.J.

DO YOU know what “phubbing” is? It’s not immediately obvious. The term is a recent coinage used to describe the behaviour of people more interested in their mobiles than those around them. It integrates the noun “phone” with the verb “snubbing”. Particularly bad offenders can apparently be addressed as “mother fubber”. While the term “phubbing” is new, the linguistic process used to create it is not.

Portmanteaus, or “blends”, according to Ian Roberts, linguistics professor at the University of Cambridge, have been around for more than a century. They exist "mainly as a journalistic fad"—to describe a phenomenon to a mass audience. For example, the word “smog” was first coined in 1905 by one Dr H.A des Voeux of the Coal Smoke Abatement Society to describe the smoky fog, or “smog”, prevalent in British cities. In creating this new term, Des Voeux had “done a public service”, reported the Globe newspaper in London at the time. His contribution to the lexicon surely should be the subject of mimosa toasts over "brunch".

Yet such verbal ingenuity warrants a bit less gratitude nowadays, particularly when considering the likes of “mansplain”—a term used to describe the patronising tones men use to explain things to women—and “chillax”, a weird compound command to both "chill" and "relax" that ensures the recipient will do neither (maybe because the word also sounds like a constipation remedy).

So what makes an acceptable “blend”? The best are easily grasped, perhaps with a sly pun. The mission is not to create an esoteric term, but to exhibit wit. "Staycation”, a holiday where one remains at home, fares well. “Sexpert” is similarly aurally satisfying and immediately comprehensible. Meanwhile, “frenemy” capably embodies the awkward social reality it describes. (The Romans managed something similar with the word “hospes”, which in Latin can mean both “friend” and “stranger”.)

Ultimately it is hard to choose a favourite “blend”. Perhaps the matter needs further “ponsideration”. No? Right. More pondering and consideration then.