Word clipping - Blended and Clipped word.

 Word Clipping

The shortening of words has long been a part of language evolution. The English language is full of clipped words, which usually emerge as time-savers in both speaking and writing.

What Is Word Clipping?

A clipped word is formed by dropping one or more syllables from a longer word, without changing its meaning.

How Do You Clip A Word?

There are five ways to shorten a word:

#1 Back-Clipping

When the beginning of the word is retained.

Teenager >>> Teen

Examination >>> Exam

Memorandum >>> Memo

#2 Fore-Clipping

When the end of the word is retained.

Telephone >>> Phone

Caravan >>> Van

Internet >>> Net

#3 Middle-Clipping (Or Back- and Fore-Clipping)

When the middle of the word is retained.

Influenza >>> Flu

Refrigerator >>> Fridge

Prescription >>> Script

#4 Complex-Clipping (Or Clipping Compounds)

When parts of a compound word are retained.

Situation Comedy >>> Sitcom

Foreign Exchange >>> Forex

Grandmother >>> Grandma

#5 Blending

When parts of two or more words are combined to form an entirely new word.

Breakfast + Lunch >>> Brunch

Smoke + Fog >>> Smog

Web + Seminar >>> Webinar

EXAMPLES

ad – advertisement	memo – memorandum
auto – automobile	mike – microphone
bike – bicycle	mum – chrysanthemum
burger – hamburger	pen – penitentiary
bus – omnibus	phone – telephone
champ – champion	photo – photograph
con – convict	pike – turnpike
co-op – cooperative	plane – airplane
copter – helicopter	ref – referee
cuke – cucumber	rev – revolution
dorm – dormitory	rhino – rhinoceros
exam – examination	specs – spectacles; specifications
flu – influenza	stats – statistics
fridge – refrigerator	stereo – stereophonic
gas – gasoline	sub – submarine
grad – graduate	taxi – taxicab
gym – gymnasium	teen – teenager
hippo – hippopotamus	tie – necktie
lab – laboratory	tux – tuxedo
limo – limousine	typo – typographical error
lunch – luncheon	van – caravan
math – mathematics	vet – veteran; veterinarian