Word Power

Mash-Ups

From brunch (breakfast + lunch) to WiFi (wireless + fidelity), today’s English language is full of mash-up words. Other examples include smog, sitcom and Muppet,, as well as the hybrids below. Enjoy the edutainment – or turn to the next page for the answers.

1. motorcade n. – A: breakdown. B: automatic response. C: procession of vehicles. 2. radome n. – A: salad vegetable. B: antenna housing. C: all-night party. 3. digerati n. – A: archaeologists. B: computer wizzes. C: screen pixels. 4. emoticon n. – A: virtual pet. B: tiny car. C: digital facial expression. 5. telegenic adj. – A: suitable manner and appearance for TV. B: having ESP. C: born on foreign soil. 6. meld v. – A: liquefy. B: combine. C: harden with age. 7. bodacious adj. – A: remarkable. B: interfering. C: part human, part machine. 8. chillax v. – A: ice fish. B: calm down. C: rudely insult. 9. agitprop n. – A: political hype. B: building support. C: crowd control. 10. bromance n. – A: fraternity dwelling. B: gaseous element. C: close male friendship. 11. liger n. – A: liquid measure. B: midnight snack. C: big cat. 12. frenemy n. – A: false friend. B: opposition army. C: frantic movement. 13. Frankenfood n. – A: dangerous eats. B: genetically engineered food. C: fusion cuisine. 14. mockumentary n. – A: simulated-trial manual. B: placebo. C: satirical film style. 15. sysop n. – A: online administrator. B: photo shoot. C: music overdubbing.