The "New Word" Laboratory · Connected Through Play

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The "New Word" Laboratory

I remember one time in college, some friends and I cut class and decided to walk to the Lincoln Park Zoo from campus. It was probably 2 miles there and back. At the zoo, we decided to rename all the animals, then rush back to campus for History with our favorite Professor Dr. Garfield. We then regaled him with the new animal names. He was puzzled, amused, and tolerant. Have you ever done something like this? No? Well then, today is for you!

Today, we are going to act like linguists and invent words for things that don't have a name yet.

Get Started:

1. Identify a "vague" feeling or a specific household situation that needs a name.

• Example: The feeling of being tired but not wanting to stop playing.

• Example: The specific sound a LEGO makes when you step on it in the dark.

2. The Goal: Combine two existing words to create a "Portmanteau."

• Example: "Tired-Play" = Tiray. "Pain-Crunch" = Pancrunch.

3. Use your new word in a sentence at dinner tonight.

Options for Older Kids

For Ages 12–14: The Etymology Hack. Give them a "root" word (like auto meaning self or graph meaning writing). Challenge them to find 5 words in the house that use that root. Then, have them invent a futuristic machine using those roots (e.g., An "Autograph-o-matic").

For Ages 15–17: The Slang Translation. Ask them to explain a piece of modern slang to you (e.g., rizz, cap, bet). Then, challenge them to translate a "serious" news headline or a classic poem into that slang. Does the meaning change, or just the "vibe"?

Your Turn:

Post your "New Word" and its definition below. Let's see if we can start a Connected Through Play dictionary!

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