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Made-Up Words You Use Every Day

Made-Up Words You Use Every Day

You might not realize it, but many of the words we use every day started as made-up creations. Over time, these words became so commonplace that we no longer think of them as anything but real words. Here are a few examples of everyday made-up words, with descriptions and sentences to show how they're used.

1. Googling

Description: The word "Google" originally referred to the search engine company, but it quickly became a verb to describe the act of searching for something online using Google. Now, "googling" is commonly used to refer to any type of online search, regardless of the search engine.

Example Sentences:

  • "I was googling the best restaurants nearby when I found this gem."
  • "If you don’t know the answer, just try googling it."

2. Blog

Description: "Blog" is short for "weblog," a term coined in the late 1990s to describe personal online journals. Over time, blogs expanded into more formal content platforms, and now "blogging" is used across various industries for professional and personal writing.

Example Sentences:

  • "I just published a new blog about travel tips for solo adventurers."
  • "She’s been blogging for years about her experiences in the tech industry."

3. Spam

Description: The term "spam" originally referred to a brand of canned meat, but in the digital world, it evolved to mean unsolicited, irrelevant messages, particularly in emails. The word was popularized after a sketch by Monty Python in which the word "spam" was repeatedly chanted, likening it to repetitive and unwanted content.

Example Sentences:

  • "I’m tired of getting all this spam in my inbox."
  • "Make sure your emails don’t end up in the spam folder."

4. App

Description: "App" is short for "application" and originally referred to any software or program. As smartphones grew in popularity, "app" became a common word for software designed to run on mobile devices.

Example Sentences:

  • "I downloaded a fitness app to track my daily steps."
  • "There’s an app for almost anything these days."

5. Selfie

Description: "Selfie" is a relatively new word, created to describe the act of taking a photo of oneself, usually with a smartphone. The word became so widely used that it was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2013.

Example Sentences:

  • "Let’s take a selfie with the beach in the background!"
  • "Her selfie game is on point with those filters."

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6. Binge-watch

Description: The term "binge-watch" emerged with the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix. It describes the practice of watching multiple episodes of a TV show or an entire season in one sitting.

Example Sentences:

  • "We binge-watched the entire season of Stranger Things over the weekend."
  • "It’s too easy to binge-watch shows when they release all the episodes at once."

7. Unfriend

Description: With the growth of social media, particularly Facebook, "unfriend" was coined to describe the act of removing someone from your list of friends or connections online. It’s a verb specific to social media platforms.

Example Sentences:

  • "I had to unfriend him because he kept posting offensive comments."
  • "She noticed that someone unfriended her after the last argument."

8. Frenemy

Description: A blend of the words "friend" and "enemy," "frenemy" is used to describe someone with whom you have a complicated relationship. On the surface, you may appear friendly, but there is underlying rivalry or hostility.

Example Sentences:

  • "We’ve been frenemies ever since we competed for the same promotion."
  • "It’s hard to tell if they’re friends or frenemies with the way they interact."

9. Hangry

Description: A combination of "hungry" and "angry," "hangry" describes the irritability that comes from being hungry. The word has gained popularity in the last few years and is used in casual conversations.

Example Sentences:

  • "Sorry for being short with you earlier, I was just hangry."
  • "I always get hangry if I skip lunch."

10. Brunch

Description: A blend of "breakfast" and "lunch," brunch is the meal eaten in between these two standard mealtimes. It’s a weekend favorite, often accompanied by mimosas or coffee.

Example Sentences:

  • "We’re meeting for brunch at 11 a.m. on Sunday."
  • "Brunch is the perfect excuse to eat pancakes at noon."

Have Fun With Language

These everyday words might have started as made-up creations, but over time, they’ve become embedded in our daily language. Understanding the evolution and use of these words can enhance our appreciation for the flexibility and creativity of language!

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