June 29: Blended Words Day

On this date in 1995, Diane White, writing in The Boston Globe, coined the blended word bridezilla (bride + Godzilla) to describe "brides who are particularly difficult and obnoxious."  White's neologism follows a trend that began in the 20th century of combining two words to form a single new word.   Blends are also called portmanteau words, portmanteau being the French term for a suitcase with two compartments.