grammarGRAMMAR


Clipping


What is clipping?

Clipping refers to the reduction of a polysyllabic word by dropping a syllable or more from it.Clipping is also called truncation or shortening.

Examples:

  • spec = speculation
  • vet = veteran

Types of clipping

There are three types of clipping:

Back clipping

In this type the beginning is retained:

Examples:

  • ad = advertisement
  • cable = cablegram
  • doc = doctor
  • exam = examination
  • fax = facsimile
  • gas = gasoline
  • gym = gymnastics, gymnasium
  • memo = memorandum
  • pub = public house
  • pop = popular music

Fore-clipping

The final part is retained:

Examples:

  • chute = parachute
  • coon = raccoon
  • gator = alligator
  • phone = telephone

Middle clipping

The middle part is retained.

Example:

  • flu = influenza
  • fridge = refrigerator

Complex clipping

Clipping may also occur in compounds. In complex clipping, one part of the original compound most often remains intact. But sometimes both halves of a compound are clipped:

Examples:

  • cablegram= cable telegram
  • op art = optical art
  • org-man= organization man
  • linocut = linoleum cut
  • navicert = navigation certificate

When both halves are clipped, as in navicert, it becomes confusing whether to consider the resultant formation as clipping or as blending.