Kangaroo word: Difference between revisions
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A '''kangaroo word''' is a word that contains letters of another word, in order, with the same meaning. For example: the word ''masculine'' contains the word ''male'', which is a [[synonym]] of the first word; similarly, the word ''observe'' contains its synonym ''see''. |
A '''kangaroo word''' is a word that contains letters of another word, in order, with the same meaning. For example: the word ''masculine'' contains the word ''male'', which is a [[synonym]] of the first word; similarly, the word ''observe'' contains its synonym ''see''. |
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==Etymology== |
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The etymology of the phrase ''kangaroo word'' is from the fact that [[kangaroo]]s carry their young (known as joeys) in a body pouch. Likewise, ''kangaroo words'' carry their ''joey words'' within themselves. ''Double kangaroos'' are kangaroo words containing two joey words (for example: ''container'' features both ''tin'' and ''can''). In contrast, an ''anti-kangaroo'' word is a word that contains its antonym; for example: ''covert'' carries ''overt'', ''animosity'' carries ''amity''. |
The etymology of the phrase ''kangaroo word'' is from the fact that [[kangaroo]]s carry their young (known as joeys) in a body pouch. Likewise, ''kangaroo words'' carry their ''joey words'' within themselves. ''Double kangaroos'' are kangaroo words containing two joey words (for example: ''container'' features both ''tin'' and ''can''). In contrast, an ''anti-kangaroo'' word is a word that contains its antonym; for example: ''covert'' carries ''overt'', ''animosity'' carries ''amity''. |
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Revision as of 02:11, 29 February 2012
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A kangaroo word is a word that contains letters of another word, in order, with the same meaning. For example: the word masculine contains the word male, which is a synonym of the first word; similarly, the word observe contains its synonym see.
Etymology
The etymology of the phrase kangaroo word is from the fact that kangaroos carry their young (known as joeys) in a body pouch. Likewise, kangaroo words carry their joey words within themselves. Double kangaroos are kangaroo words containing two joey words (for example: container features both tin and can). In contrast, an anti-kangaroo word is a word that contains its antonym; for example: covert carries overt, animosity carries amity.
Some compilers require that the letters of the joey word not be consecutive within the kangaroo word,[1][2] or that the kangaroo and joey words must be etymologically unrelated.[1]
References
- ^ a b D. Morice, The Dictionary of Wordplay, Teachers & Writers, 2001, ISBN 0915924994, retrieved by Google Books Search on 1 Dec, 2007
- ^ A Word A Day, retrieved 1 Dec 2007
External links
