It was , after all , Lewis Carroll 's Humpty Dumpty who first coined the word `` portmanteau '' and defined it : `` two meanings packed up into one word . '' Lee Siegel : It seems that a new portmanteau -- a hybrid word -- pops up every hour . Siegel : The term is coined by the linguist and lexicographer David Crystal, who says it was inspired by his own fascination with words like "cyberspace" or "hypertext". He says familiar words are being reshuffled as our modern life quickens in its pace . Siegel : New hybrid words are emblematic of our culture -- a melting pot where things blend .
Lee Siegel : It seems that a new portmanteau -- a hybrid word -- pops up every hour . Siegel : The term is coined by the linguist and lexicographer David Crystal, who says it was inspired by his own fascination with words like "cyberspace" or "hypertext". He says familiar words are being reshuffled as our modern life quickens in its pace . Siegel : New hybrid words are emblematic of our culture -- a melting pot where things blend .