When one abbreviates a word so commonly you forget that there's a long form version. Perfect case and point is when was the last time you said lets have luncheon instead of saying "lunch". Now we probably have said photograph more commonly when talking about a photo but Luncheon is almost never used in modern day terms. Here are some other examples I pulled that may have similarities:
Demo and Demonstration is another one that is barely used but the rest on the list below is mashed up a bit more as English is full of "formalized" or longer terms that we rarely use in everyday speech. Here are some examples of commonly shortened words and their more formal or lesser-known counterparts:
- Exam → Examination
- Ad → Advertisement
- Gym → Gymnasium
- Fridge → Refrigerator
- Vet → Veterinarian
- Flu → Influenza
- Bus → Omnibus
- Lab → Laboratory
- Photo → Photograph
- Math → Mathematics
- Phone → Telephone
- Fax → Facsimile
- Specs → Specifications
- Movie → Moving Picture
- Mic → Microphone
- Bike → Bicycle
- Admin → Administration
- Sci-fi → Science Fiction
- Info → Information
- Demo → Demonstration
These evolutions often come from practicality: the shorter versions are easier to say in casual conversation, while the formal versions are used in more serious or technical contexts.
In case you were wondering if there's a term for this? I was and looked it up to find out that there is a linguistic term for this and it's called "clipping".
Clipping is the process of shortening a word or phrase while retaining its original meaning. It’s a common feature in English (and many other languages), as it makes language more efficient and conversational.
Types of Clipping
-
Back clipping: The end of the word is dropped.
- Luncheon → Lunch
- Refrigerator → Fridge
- Gymnasium → Gym
-
Front clipping: The beginning of the word is dropped.
- Telephone → Phone
- Omnibus → Bus
- Alligator → Gator
-
Middle clipping: Both the beginning and the end are clipped.
- Influenza → Flu
- Refrigerator → Fridge (can also be considered back clipping)
-
Complex clipping: Parts of compound words or phrases are clipped.
- Vegetables → Veggies
- Delicatessen → Deli
- Science Fiction → Sci-Fi
This process is part of morphology, the study of word formation, and is often linked to casual or colloquial speech. It reflects how language adapts to the needs of its speakers over time.
It’s fascinating, right? Words often begin as longer forms but get "trimmed" as they become more frequently used or embedded in popular culture!
