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Clearly, if I can say it, and it doesn't violate the phonological rules of the English language, and both you and I understand what I mean - it's an English word! It may not be a word in your dialect, or indeed the standard dialect. Heck, it may be so weird that it never enters the dictionary. But it is a word.
(And if it *is* in the dictionary, and you know it, you need to STFU, because however you are choosing to redefine the word "word" you can rest assured that language doesn't actually work that way. Don't use it if you don't like it, but please - don't argue with the lexicographers about their arcane arts. I don't know exactly how they do their job either, but I'm sure they're better at it than you or I.)
Back to my subject, it also irritates me when people go "is that a word?" about something they've awkwardly neologized.
Here's the thing. If it incorporates a root and any number of legal morphemes, such that it's clear and obvious what you mean? It's a word. Have fun with your own language and stop worrying about it so much.
(Then you can go and rant about it instead, isn't that much more fun?!?)
And don't get me started on how some neologisms are accepted almost instantly, but others are always considered "not a real word". Who makes these rules?
(And if it *is* in the dictionary, and you know it, you need to STFU, because however you are choosing to redefine the word "word" you can rest assured that language doesn't actually work that way. Don't use it if you don't like it, but please - don't argue with the lexicographers about their arcane arts. I don't know exactly how they do their job either, but I'm sure they're better at it than you or I.)
Back to my subject, it also irritates me when people go "is that a word?" about something they've awkwardly neologized.
Here's the thing. If it incorporates a root and any number of legal morphemes, such that it's clear and obvious what you mean? It's a word. Have fun with your own language and stop worrying about it so much.
(Then you can go and rant about it instead, isn't that much more fun?!?)
And don't get me started on how some neologisms are accepted almost instantly, but others are always considered "not a real word". Who makes these rules?
