Clipping in Morphology With 25 Clipped Words
Clipping in morphology refers to the process of shortening a word by removing one or more syllables from it, while retaining its meaning. This linguistic phenomenon often occurs in informal language and is a common way of creating new words or forming colloquial expressions. Clipping can take various forms, such as removing the beginning or ending of a word, and it is widely used in everyday language. Let’s explore some examples to better understand this concept.
- Info (from Information):
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- Example: “I’ll get you all the info you need.”
- Explanation: In this case, “info” is a clipped form of the word “information.” The removal of the “-rmation” ending results in a shorter, more casual term.
- Ad (from Advertisement):
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- Example: “I saw this ad on TV last night.”
- Explanation: “Ad” is a clipped form of “advertisement.” This form is commonly used in everyday conversation and is easily understood in context.
- Phone (from Telephone):
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- Example: “Give me a call on my phone.”
- Explanation: The word “phone” is a clipped version of “telephone,” where the initial part “tele-” is omitted. This is a common example of front clipping.
- Gym (from Gymnasium):
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- Example: “I go to the gym every morning.”
- Explanation: Here, “gym” is a clipped form of “gymnasium.” The ending “-nasium” is removed to create a shorter and more commonly used term.
- Doc (from Doctor):
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- Example: “I need to see the doc about my health.”
- Explanation: “Doc” is a clipped version of the word “doctor.” This type of clipping, where the end of the word is removed, is known as back clipping.
- Math (from Mathematics):
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- Example: “I’ve always been good at math.”
- Explanation: The term “math” is a clipped form of “mathematics.” This is an example of back clipping, where the ending “-ematics” is omitted.
- Lab (from Laboratory):
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- Example: “I’ll be in the lab all afternoon.”
- Explanation: In this instance, “lab” is a clipped version of “laboratory.” The removal of the ending results in a more concise and informal term.
- Bike (from Bicycle):
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- Example: “I prefer to ride my bike to work.”
- Explanation: “Bike” is a clipped form of “bicycle,” where the beginning “bi-” is omitted. This is an example of front clipping.
Clipping plays a crucial role in language evolution, as it allows for the creation of new words that are easier to use in everyday conversation. It often reflects the informality and efficiency inherent in spoken language.
25 Clipped Words Examples
25 clipped words along with explanations and examples:
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Ad (Advertisement)
- Example: “Did you see the new Nike ad during the game?”
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Vet (Veterinarian)
- Example: “I need to take my dog to the vet for a checkup.”
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Pic (Picture)
- Example: “Let’s take a pic to remember this moment.”
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Lab (Laboratory)
- Example: “I spent hours in the lab conducting experiments.”
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Doc (Document)
- Example: “Make sure to save the doc on your computer.”
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Gym (Gymnasium)
- Example: “I go to the gym three times a week to stay fit.”
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Flu (Influenza)
- Example: “I got the flu shot to avoid getting sick this winter.”
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Phone (Telephone)
- Example: “I’ll give you a call on the phone after work.”
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Zoo (Zoological Garden)
- Example: “The kids love going to the zoo to see the animals.”
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Auto (Automobile)
- Example: “I prefer using public transportation over driving an auto.”
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Bike (Bicycle)
- Example: “I ride my bike to work to save on transportation costs.”
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Blog (Weblog)
- Example: “She writes a fashion blog that has a large following.”
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Math (Mathematics)
- Example: “I enjoy solving math problems; it’s like a puzzle to me.”
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Tech (Technology)
- Example: “The tech industry is constantly evolving with new innovations.”
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Fan (Fanatic)
- Example: “I’m a huge fan of that band; I’ve been to all their concerts.”
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Cosmo (Cosmopolitan)
- Example: “She loves reading Cosmo for the latest fashion tips.”
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Electro (Electronic)
- Example: “I listen to a lot of electro music while working out.”
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Ex (Exercise)
- Example: “I need to do more ex to stay in shape.”
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Info (Information)
- Example: “Can you give me some more info on the upcoming event?”
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Mini (Miniature)
- Example: “I bought a mini version of the car because it’s more fuel-efficient.”
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Pics (Pictures)
- Example: “I posted some vacation pics on social media.”
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Pop (Popular)
- Example: “That song is so catchy; it’s becoming really pop.”
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Spec (Specification)
- Example: “The engineer provided detailed specs for the new project.”
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Uni (University)
- Example: “I’m excited to start uni in the fall and pursue my degree.”
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Vet (Veteran)
- Example: “He’s a vet with years of experience in the military.”
These examples illustrate how words can be clipped to form more concise and informal versions while retaining their meaning.