PORTMANTEAU WORDS IX

A portmanteau is an old-fashioned suitcase with two separate parts. A portmanteau word is one which blends together the sounds and meanings two other words. BRUNCH, for example, combines breakfast and lunch.

Can you think of a portmanteau word that could answer the clues below?

1. Having a suitable manner and appearance for TV

2. Remarkable, as an unusual achievement

3. Close male friendship

4. Computer whizzes

5. Genetically engineered eats

6. A bit of a laugh and guffaw at the same time

Answers:

1. TELEGENIC (television + photogenic)

2. BODACIOUS (bold + audacious)

3. BROMANCE

4. DIGERATI (as in literati)

5. FRANKENFOOD

6. CHORTLE (chuckle + snort)*

 

*Coined by Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking Glass. Humpty Dumpty explains the word to Alice.  Lewis Carroll also made the first connection between these kinds of words and the portmanteau suitcase - which already was in use.