Indefinite Composites and Word-Coinage 3 
tension or enlargement, as judgmatical or splendiferous; through 
curtailments, like bus from omnibus, auto from automobile; 
through the creation of new words from proper names, as mercer- 
ize, mackintosh, pasteurize, boycott, and the like. Alongside these 
familiar methods of language creation or modification, many 
words peculiarly perplexing to etymologists probably originate in 
a sort of indefinite or eclectic fusion of certain vaguely recollected 
words, groups of words, or elements in words, already existing in 
the language. Nor is it unlikely that echoic composites of this 
class may equal or outrank, in number and importance, the more 
intentional and recognizable fusion forms which have hitherto 
attracted the attention of linguists. 
_ The process of word-coinage which, for expediency in classify- 
ing the words involved, or in characterizing their manner of 
origin, I have called in this paper indefinite blending, or reminis- 
cent amalgamation, borders not only upon blending or fusion 
proper—definite blends of few and easily recognizable elements 
being the more likely to be conscious formations and to retain 
unimpaired the potency in implication of their various elements— 
but also upon onomatopoeia, or direct imitation of natural sounds, 
and upon the unconscious symbolism of sounds.? The latter 
arises partly from the nature of the sounds themselves; for ex- 
ample from the difference in suggestive power between open or 
close, high or low vowels; in the quality of certain consonant com- 
binations; in the difference between explosives and continuants ; 
between voiced consonants and voiceless. Poets in particular are 
likely to avail themselves of this principle to attain what is called 
‘tone color’ But the symbolism may also arise, or find its sug- 
gestive power, partly through association with familiar established 
words in which these sounds occur. The subtle suggestion of 
combinations of letters is a subject as yet little investigated. 
To proceed to specific illustration, it is obvious that certain 
consonant groups are likely to retain the associations of prominent 
2For a suggestive passage on the symbolism of sounds, having some 
bearing on the matter under discussion, see L. P. Smith, The English 
Language, pp. 102-105 (1912). But see especially H. Bradley, The 
Making of English, pp. 156-159 (1904). 
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