September 29 2014

Rules Of Grammar: What Are Nonce Words?

Nonce words are words that are created to suit one specific occasion. The phrase “for the nonce” means “for the occasion.”

Most nonce words don’t catch on and are used very rarely or singularly. However, some nonce words become part of everyday vernacular. For example, Lewis Carroll created the word, “chortle” meaning to chuckle and snort. This word eventually became accepted as a legitimate word.

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