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When & How to Write an Anthimeria

How to Write an Anthimeria

In order to use anthimeria,

  1. Take a word that is typically only used as a noun, verb, or other part of speech.
  2. Transform the word into a different part of speech.

For example, imagine your friend has just shivered.

Typical word:

Shiver, verb

Sentence with Anthimeria:

You look all shivery. Are you cold?

In this example, a word usually used as a verb is transformed into an adjective.

For a second example, imagine you are tired of standardized tests and bubble sheets.

Typical word:

Scantron test, adjective and noun

Sentence with Anthimeria:

I am so tired of Scantroning!

Here, “Scantron,” a testing company, is transformed into a verb meaning “to take the Scantron test.”

 

When to Use Anthimeria

Anthimeria can be used whenever a word has not been used before in a certain form. Using anthimeria can be a form of wordplay, invention, or creativity. It can serve to create a word that should not be used in disciplines which do not appreciate or expect creativity, such as formal or technical documents or essays.

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