WORD MASH-UP

What is a phablet? Learn 10 terms born out of mixing words

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In life, many inventions came from mixing things around, the ebay cocktails were at least! Well, something similar happens with words, they are called portmanteaus: two words are cleverly fused to create a new one with an original meaning, of course. These linguistic mashups are not only funny, but they are also convenient and expressive: there’s no way to replace words like "brunch" or "workaholic." In this article, we’ll explore 10 portmanteaus and explain how they were formed and what they mean. Are you ready? Let’s go!

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Let’s kick off the list with a classic. This word is so commonly used, that we often forget it’s actually a combination of "breakfast" and "lunch." It was born after the need to call that late-morning meal something new.

A brunch can also be a social event as much as a meal, often accompanied by friends, laughter, and relaxed vibes. Modern, practical, and precise, this one is here to stay.

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You probably know someone who is a bit awkward and nerdy, but irresistibly cute. Well, that person is "adorkable." This word is a combination of "adorable" and "dork," and far from being an insult, it describes someone whose interests may be uncommon, yet they are cute and appealing.

The word has found a home in popular culture, introduced by Fox to describe the main character of an upcoming TV series. But it stayed because it is an accurate and affectionate description, don’t you agree?

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Bohemian Rapsody; I, Tonya; The Social Network, can you guess what they have in common? First of all, they are movies, specifically "biopics." But the distinctive feature is that they all portray the significant lives of real people. In the case of the movies mentioned, the people were Freddie Mercury, Tonya Harding, and Mark Zuckerberg.

The word "biopic" combines the words "biography" and "picture." Whether it’s an artist, politician, or scientist, biopics aim to capture the essence of a person’s life on the big screen. They offer a peek into history and, more often than not, it’s used to highlight some aspects of these people’s lives.

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Did you know the word "motel" is a portmanteau? It combines the words "motor" and "hotel" and it emerged during the rise of automobile travel in the mid-20th century. What was the appeal of motels? Their location!

Motels provided convenient, roadside lodging for travelers who didn’t want to stray too far from the highway. They were budget-friendly and perfect for a quick overnight stay. Of course, over the years, motels have become an iconic and essential part of American road culture. While often depicted as mysterious in movies, they are still the number one choice for weary drivers!

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Who said learning can’t be fun? In fact, most professionals agree that the best way to effectively learn something is through enjoyment! So, "education" meets "entertainment" to give birth to "edutainment," a term to describe educative content that is also recreational and fun to make the learning experience, an enjoyable one!

The term has been embraced by everything from children’s TV shows to interactive museums, where people can experience lively tours that help the information stick. Learning is not a chore anymore, edutainment will keep everyone engaged!

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Neither too little nor too much is good in any case! The same goes for work. We all want to strive and improve in life, but being addicted to work won’t get us anywhere. Don’t be a "workaholic"!

This word combines "work" and "alcoholic," and even though alcohol isn’t involved in this description, the term was chosen to refer to an addiction. The adjective describes those who cannot stop working, usually to the detriment of their personal lives. While this behavior is not recommended, no one can deny it was a necessary word!

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In social circles, the workplace, and even within the family, we all have that one person for whom we can’t really decide whether we love or hate them—that’s our personal "frenemy."

A frenemy is someone who blurs the lines between "friend" and "enemy," a blend of both. It describes the kind of person who might support you but also somehow, compete with you. It’s truly a unique, and often confusing dynamic. Nothing personal, it’s all about chemistry!

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Have you watched The Office? That series is set in a paper company, where we follow the people who work there, their relationships, and their terribly useless boss. It’s styled as a documentary, but it is actually a work of fiction and also a bit of a satire. That’s what makes it a mockumentary.

Blending the words "mock" and "documentary," this specific type of film imitates documentary-like features, such as the handheld camera or characters’ interviews and comments, while incorporating fictional stories and deadpan humor, absurd situations, and satirical elements. The purpose? To mock real-life scenarios or exaggerate them.

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We’ve already learned that education can take a fun turn and become entertaining. Similarly, education also found a way to become accessible to all through the internet, our best ally when it comes to learning. A "webinar" is a blend of "web" and "seminar," and it refers to online educational events.

It’s a product of the digital age and the goal is to increase accessibility and comfort, as they are typically attended from home. They have become a key piece of professional development and, during the pandemic, were highly requested to keep up with the educational goals. Creative, don’t you think?

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To close our article, we’ll also explore a word that comes from the technological field. In this case, the word "phablet" is a combination of "phone" and "tablet." You may wonder why this word was created, and that would be a fair question.

A phablet is what you get when you combine both technology devices in order to create a device with a larger screen—bigger than a phone but smaller than a tablet. It is both an inventive device with a creative word that aims to give users the best of both worlds. The comfort of a phone, with the size(-ish) of a tablet. Did you know about this one?

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Espionage And Chicken Costumes: 10 Celebs Who Worked Odd Jobs Before Fame

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Who didn’t have a weird job in their youth? Celebrities are no exception. Before their rise to stardom, they led ordinary lives, taking on whatever jobs they could to make ends meet, no matter how odd or unglamorous.

From dressing as brand mascots to conducting espionage missions during World War II, we've uncovered some of the most curious pre-fame occupations of everyone’s favorite stars.

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Brad Pitt worked as a limousine driver and even dressed as a chicken mascot for "El Pollo Loco", a popular restaurant in Los Angeles. Despite these humble beginnings, Pitt's drive and determination eventually led him to become one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors.

His early jobs instilled in him a strong work ethic and a down-to-earth attitude, qualities that have become integral to his memorable performances and off-screen persona.

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There was a time when you could book Hugh Jackman for just $50. Before becoming Wolverine in the X-Men films, he was known as Coco the Clown, entertaining children at birthday parties and various events.

This early gig taught him how to think on his feet and keep a crowd entertained, skills that undoubtedly contributed to his later success on the silver screen.

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Although it might come as no surprise to anyone who watched his truthful performance in the film Magic Mike, Channing Tatum began his career as a stripper at a nightclub.

While some actors prefer to forget or hide their less-than-glamorous jobs, Tatum embraced this experience. It certainly gave his acting a unique perspective and authenticity, helping him connect with audiences on a more personal level.

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Before her breakout role in Transformers, Megan Fox used to work all sorts of odd jobs to pay the bills. At one point, she worked at a smoothie shop in Florida, where she occasionally dressed as a giant banana to attract customers.

Despite the unglamorous nature of the job, her determination to succeed in Hollywood never wavered. After years of hard work, she finally landed her first successful role.

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Matthew McConaughey spent a year in Australia cleaning chicken coops and washing dishes while taking acting classes. In his free time, he surfed and relaxed at the local beaches.

He claims this period was life-changing, making him a more humble and better person. It also infused his performances with notable authenticity. Though he nearly pursued a different career path as a production assistant, he ultimately realized that acting was his true calling.

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Whoopi Goldberg could be crowned the queen of odd jobs. Before becoming everyone’s favorite no-nonsense host of The View, she worked as a bank teller and a bricklayer, among other unusual gigs.

However, the strangest job by far was her stint as a mortuary beautician. In an interview with Oprah, she even recalled a moment when her boss played a prank on her by hiding in a funeral home drawer.

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Rod Stewart had his fair share of odd jobs, largely due to his father's insistence that he stay busy during his teenage years. His father would wake him up early to ensure he found something productive to do. Among his many stints at different occupations, he once worked at the Highgate Cemetery in London, measuring out plots and marking them off with string.

Eventually, a myth arose that he worked as a gravedigger at the cemetery, but that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Stewart himself clarified that he only marked the spots where the actual gravediggers would work later.

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For 18 months in 1964, Ozzy Osbourne worked in an abattoir in Birmingham. He claimed that he enjoyed the job, not because of what it involved but because if you finished early you would have the rest of the day off, and the pay was good.

Considering his later career, this job seems oddly fitting. After all, which other musician could you picture working in the grim environment of a slaughterhouse?

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Before becoming Clyde in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Warren Beatty worked in what has to be one of the most unglamorous jobs on this list: rat catcher for a theater in Washington, D.C.

Still, it was for a theater, so there was some sort of connection to his later career, right? In any case, such a job likely helped him develop the crucial qualities necessary to thrive in show business.

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Before becoming an iconic actor known for portraying spine-chilling villains like Dracula or Saruman in the Lord of the Rings franchise, Christopher Lee served as an intelligence officer in the Royal Air Force during World War II.

It is even speculated that he might have served as partial inspiration for the character of James Bond, as author Ian Fleming was a distant relative and knew of his wartime exploits. If anything, this only adds another layer to the charismatic and complex personality that was Christopher Lee, who also loved to sing opera and occasionally collaborated with heavy metal bands.