Vol. 10 · Portmanteaus ·Early 20th century ·1912
Cellophane
cellulose diaphane
- Meaning
- A thin transparent sheet of regenerated cellulose.
- Source words
- cellulose + diaphane
- Coined by
- Jacques Brandenberger
- Year
- 1912
Background
Brandenberger, a Swiss chemist, coined the name from *cellulose* plus French *diaphane* (transparent). Trademarked as Cellophane; the word fell into generic use in most countries.
Early 20th century
Industrialisation generated new things that needed new names, fast. Motoring, electricity, telecommunications, and urban pollution all produced portmanteaus within a generation of their arrival.
Two words, one coinage.
Browse every portmanteau on the shelf — or cross over to the loanwords atlas.