Has anyone here ever been involved in creating a new word? A friend of mine in Germany was one of the co-creators of the word "handy" which is short for mobile phone in Germany; I think this came out of a think-tank of copywriters.

I would be interested in a new word for a movement in birds; not sure anyone else here keeps birds but they tend to stretch a leg and a wing (same side of the body) in a ballet-like movement away to the rear (leg) and the side (wing). This is the most amazing avian "Tai Chi" observation ever.

Any suggestions?

Bea

I've invented any number of new words, usually directly after striking my thumb with a hammer, so most would not pass muster in respectable publications. I think that is the problem here since a new word has to gain acceptance by a large audience, and that is difficult.

if your birdie were on ice, I'd call it a one-winged flying camel

Bea, you keep birds? Are they pets?

I think I came up with 'refudiate' before S. Palin was even born. (I think I was six).

When I was a pre-teen a very precocious neighbor kid came up with "gretch," a melding of "gripe" and "kvetch." Had he been famous or infamous it might have caught on. Are you either one, Tom?

Bea, our two doves only do the movement you describe when I take them out in the sun. Since it looks as if they've turned into little sledding hills, may I sugest featherslide?

I've observed various raptors spreading both wings while perched. I assume it to be for temperature regulation, and not as a pose for some "right-wing" humans.

quote:

spreading both wings while perched

Also to facilitate projectile defecation, in some birds.