Neologism is a newly coined word or phrase. Often a neologism is in the process of entering common use, but has not yet been accepted into mainstream language.**

After a few exchanges via Twitter with Grant Barrett from A Way With Words and Voice of San Diego about the origin of the word “porkfest,” I came across the word “neologism.”

I was actually trying to find examples of news media created words similar to the aforementioned “porkfest.” But as you know, the internet sucks you into its vortex.  So after stumbling on this very useful word, I forgot about my quest to find examples of other words that media has made up (I know there must be a number of them).

Anyhow, one of my favorite neologisms is “strategery”. Originally coined in an SNL skit mocking George W. Bush in 2000, “strategery” became a Bush catchphrase as he attempted to embrace the satire. Currently the word is used in the roller derby world in game play instead of “strategy”. I like it’s silliness and in the crazy derby community, it seems to fit right in.

On a side note: While Grant deemed “porkfest” a form of “journalese,” I never did find a written definition of the bacon-loving word. Sadly, my first vision related to “porkfest” was the correlation between pork and the police. Although politics seems to be at the forefront of this word, I understand the cops really have no involvement.

**Definition of neologism taken from Wikipedia.