Portmantitle: Difference between revisions

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.
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* B: Just [[CamelCase|remove the space between them]]. This is particularly popular in music.
* B: Just [[CamelCase|remove the space between them]]. This is particularly popular in music.


[[We Will Use Wiki Words in The Future|In the future, these are very common.]] When we use one, it's a [[Tropemanteau]]. Japanese does this a lot when borrowing from English, actually.
[[We Will Use Wiki Words in the Future|In the future, these are very common.]] When we use one, it's a [[Tropemanteau]]. Japanese does this a lot when borrowing from English, actually.


[[I Thought It Meant|Has nothing]] [[The Problem With Pen Island|to do with]] films starring [[Natalie Portman]].
[[I Thought It Meant|Has nothing]] [[The Problem with Pen Island|to do with]] films starring [[Natalie Portman]].
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=== Type A Examples ===
=== Type A Examples ===
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* ''[[Digimon]]'' ("Digital Monsters")
* ''[[Digimon]]'' ("Digital Monsters")
* ''[[Pokémon]]'' ("Pocket Monsters")
* ''[[Pokémon]]'' ("Pocket Monsters")
* ''[[Axis Powers Hetalia (Manga)|Axis Powers Hetalia]]'' - "Hetalia" is a portmanteau of the Japanese words for "hopeless" (hetare) and "Italy" (Italia).
* ''[[Axis Powers Hetalia]]'' - "Hetalia" is a portmanteau of the Japanese words for "hopeless" (hetare) and "Italy" (Italia).
* ''[[Bakemonogatari (Light Novel)|Bakemonogatari]]'': "Bakemono (ghost)" + "monogatari (story)". "[[Lucky Translation|Ghostory]]", if you will.
* ''[[Bakemonogatari]]'': "Bakemono (ghost)" + "monogatari (story)". "[[Lucky Translation|Ghostory]]", if you will.
* ''[[Maoyuu Maou Yuusha (Literature)|Maoyuu Maou Yuusha]]'': the Maoyuu means exactly Maou (Demon King) + Yuusha (Hero).
* ''[[Maoyuu Maou Yuusha]]'': the Maoyuu means exactly Maou (Demon King) + Yuusha (Hero).


== [[Film]] ==
== [[Film]] ==
* ''[[Amsterdamned (Film)|Amsterdamned]]''
* ''[[Amsterdamned]]''


== [[Literature]] ==
== [[Literature]] ==
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* The titles in the ''[[Cal Leandros]]'' series.
* The titles in the ''[[Cal Leandros]]'' series.
* The first book of ''[[The Dresden Files]]'', ''Storm Front'', was almost called ''Semiautomagic''.
* The first book of ''[[The Dresden Files]]'', ''Storm Front'', was almost called ''Semiautomagic''.
* ''[[Animorphs (Literature)|Animorphs]]'' as Animal-Morphers.
* ''[[Animorphs]]'' as Animal-Morphers.


== [[Live Action TV]] ==
== [[Live Action TV]] ==
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** ''[[Samurai Sentai Shinkenger]]'': ''shinken'' ("true sword" or "earnest", depending on kanji) + "ranger"
** ''[[Samurai Sentai Shinkenger]]'': ''shinken'' ("true sword" or "earnest", depending on kanji) + "ranger"
** ''[[Tensou Sentai Goseiger]]'': ''goseija'' ("planet guardian") + "ranger"
** ''[[Tensou Sentai Goseiger]]'': ''goseija'' ("planet guardian") + "ranger"
** ''[[Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger (TV)|Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger]]'': ''gōkai'' ("daring") + "ranger"
** ''[[Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger]]'': ''gōkai'' ("daring") + "ranger"
* ''[[Kikaider]]'': ''kikai'' ("machine") + "rider"
* ''[[Kikaider]]'': ''kikai'' ("machine") + "rider"
* ''[[Metal Heroes]]'' has also done this a couple of times:
* ''[[Metal Heroes]]'' has also done this a couple of times:
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* Chiodos' third album, ''Illuminaudio'' (''illumination'' + ''audio'' - [[I Thought It Meant|not to be confused for anything to do with]] [[Ancient Conspiracy|the Illuminati]]).
* Chiodos' third album, ''Illuminaudio'' (''illumination'' + ''audio'' - [[I Thought It Meant|not to be confused for anything to do with]] [[Ancient Conspiracy|the Illuminati]]).
* [[The Mars Volta]]'s album ''Amputechture'' is a portmanteau of "amputation", "technology" and "architecture".
* [[The Mars Volta]]'s album ''Amputechture'' is a portmanteau of "amputation", "technology" and "architecture".
* [[WASP (Music)|WASP]] album ''Helldorado'' (Hell + El Dorado).
* [[W.A.S.P.|WASP]] album ''Helldorado'' (Hell + El Dorado).
** Also the song "Revengeance" (revenge + vengeace) on ''Dying for the World''.
** Also the song "Revengeance" (revenge + vengeace) on ''Dying for the World''.
* [[Michael Jackson]] compilation ''HIStory'' (his story + history).
* [[Michael Jackson]] compilation ''HIStory'' (his story + history).
* [[Overkill (Music)|Overkill]] albums ''Horrorscope'' (horror + horoscope), ''Coverkill'' (cover + overkill) and ''ReliXIV'' (relics + XIV).
* [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]] albums ''Horrorscope'' (horror + horoscope), ''Coverkill'' (cover + overkill) and ''ReliXIV'' (relics + XIV).
** Also the song "Soulitue" (soul + solitude).
** Also the song "Soulitue" (soul + solitude).
* U.D.O. album ''Mastercutor'' (master + executor).
* U.D.O. album ''Mastercutor'' (master + executor).
* The band [[Helloween (Music)|Helloween]] (Hell + Halloween).
* The band [[Helloween]] (Hell + Halloween).
* [[Megadeth (Music)|Megadeth]] album ''Youthanasia'' (youth + euthanasia).
* [[Megadeth]] album ''Youthanasia'' (youth + euthanasia).
* [[Heavens Gate (Music)|Heavens Gate]] album ''Menergy'' (me + energy).
* [[Heaven's Gate (band)|Heavens Gate]] album ''Menergy'' (me + energy).
* [[Ozzy Osbourne (Music)|Ozzy Osbourne]] album ''Ozzmosis'' (Ozzy + osmosis).
* [[Ozzy Osbourne]] album ''Ozzmosis'' (Ozzy + osmosis).
* [[Savatage]] formed their name by compining their previous name Avatar with the word savage.
* [[Savatage]] formed their name by compining their previous name Avatar with the word savage.
* Used partly in the title of King's-Evil album ''Deletion of Humanoise'' (human + noise).
* Used partly in the title of King's-Evil album ''Deletion of Humanoise'' (human + noise).
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* This was also quite popular in Russia, such as the Komintern (for the Communist International).
* This was also quite popular in Russia, such as the Komintern (for the Communist International).
* The online event NaNoWriMo, for [[National Novel Writing Month]].
* The online event NaNoWriMo, for [[National Novel Writing Month]].
* [[[Sit Com]]], [[[Britcom]]], and so on.
* [[[Sitcom]]], [[[Britcom]]], and so on.


== [[Video Games]] ==
== [[Video Games]] ==
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* ''Probotector'' = "Robot Protector" (''Probotector'' being the European version of the earlier ''[[Contra]]'' games on home consoles)
* ''Probotector'' = "Robot Protector" (''Probotector'' being the European version of the earlier ''[[Contra]]'' games on home consoles)
* The [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] is officially known as the Family Computer in Japan, but is commonly referred by its abbreviated name of Famicom, a name Nintendo officially adopted for its successor, the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]].
* The [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] is officially known as the Family Computer in Japan, but is commonly referred by its abbreviated name of Famicom, a name Nintendo officially adopted for its successor, the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]].
* ''[[Psychonauts (Video Game)|Psychonauts]]'', which is actually a real word.
* ''[[Psychonauts]]'', which is actually a real word.
* ''[[Onechanbara]]'' = ''one-chan'' ("big sis", or "young woman") and ''chanbara'' (sword fighting)
* ''[[OneChanbara]]'' = ''one-chan'' ("big sis", or "young woman") and ''chanbara'' (sword fighting)
* ''[[Recettear]]'' and ''[[Chantelise]]'' are both combinations of the names of two primary characters, Recette + Tear in the former and Chante + Elise in the latter.
* ''[[Recettear]]'' and ''[[Chantelise]]'' are both combinations of the names of two primary characters, Recette + Tear in the former and Chante + Elise in the latter.
* ''Runark'' ([[Market-Based Title|Japanese title]] of ''[[Growl]]'') = "Rune" and "Ark"
* ''Runark'' ([[Market-Based Title|Japanese title]] of ''[[Growl]]'') = "Rune" and "Ark"
* ''[[Terranigma]]'' = "Terra" and "enigma"
* ''[[Terranigma]]'' = "Terra" and "enigma"
* ''[[Slydris (Video Game)|Slydris]]'': Slide + ''[[Tetris (Video Game)|Tetris]]'', with a dash of [[Xtreme Kool Letterz]].
* ''[[Slydris]]'': Slide + ''[[Tetris]]'', with a dash of [[Xtreme Kool Letterz]].


=== Type B Examples ===
=== Type B Examples ===
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== Anime & Manga ==
== Anime & Manga ==


* ''[[Dragonball]]'' is sometimes spelled as ''Dragonball''
* ''[[Dragon Ball]]'' is sometimes spelled as ''Dragonball''
* Fans often remove the space in ''[[Death Note (Manga)|Death Note]]'', because there's no discernible space in the logo. As the label on the artifact itself will show, this is a mistake.
* Fans often remove the space in ''[[Death Note]]'', because there's no discernible space in the logo. As the label on the artifact itself will show, this is a mistake.


== [[Film]] ==
== [[Film]] ==
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== [[Video Games]] ==
== [[Video Games]] ==
* ''[[Earthbound]]''
* ''[[Earthbound]]''
* ''[[Audiosurf (Video Game)|Audiosurf]]''
* ''[[Audiosurf]]''


== [[Music]] ==
== [[Music]] ==
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* The Spacemonkeys
* The Spacemonkeys
* HelloGoodbye
* HelloGoodbye
* [[Deadmau5]]
* [[Deadmau 5 (Music)|Deadmau 5]]
* Self's song "ILoveToLoveYourLoveMyLove"
* Self's song "ILoveToLoveYourLoveMyLove"


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== [[Western Animation]] ==
== [[Western Animation]] ==
* ''[[Thunder Cats]]'' and ''[[Thundercats 2011 (Western Animation)|ThunderCats (2011)]]''
* ''[[Thundercats]]'' and ''[[Thundercats 2011|ThunderCats (2011)]]''


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

Revision as of 16:19, 8 April 2014

When people who need a title for a show that sounds original, but still somewhat familiar, they often take two (or more) common words and either:

In the future, these are very common. When we use one, it's a Tropemanteau. Japanese does this a lot when borrowing from English, actually.

Has nothing to do with films starring Natalie Portman.

Type A Examples

Anime and Manga

Film

Literature

  • Newspeak in 1984 is not only a Portmantitle itself, but is made up of portmanteau words like "Ingsoc" and "plusgood".
  • The titles in the Cal Leandros series.
  • The first book of The Dresden Files, Storm Front, was almost called Semiautomagic.
  • Animorphs as Animal-Morphers.

Live Action TV

Music

  • Chiodos' third album, Illuminaudio (illumination + audio - not to be confused for anything to do with the Illuminati).
  • The Mars Volta's album Amputechture is a portmanteau of "amputation", "technology" and "architecture".
  • WASP album Helldorado (Hell + El Dorado).
    • Also the song "Revengeance" (revenge + vengeace) on Dying for the World.
  • Michael Jackson compilation HIStory (his story + history).
  • Overkill albums Horrorscope (horror + horoscope), Coverkill (cover + overkill) and ReliXIV (relics + XIV).
    • Also the song "Soulitue" (soul + solitude).
  • U.D.O. album Mastercutor (master + executor).
  • The band Helloween (Hell + Halloween).
  • Megadeth album Youthanasia (youth + euthanasia).
  • Heavens Gate album Menergy (me + energy).
  • Ozzy Osbourne album Ozzmosis (Ozzy + osmosis).
  • Savatage formed their name by compining their previous name Avatar with the word savage.
  • Used partly in the title of King's-Evil album Deletion of Humanoise (human + noise).
  • Lordi's third album The Arockalypse (apocalypse + rock).
  • Sepultura EP Revolusongs (revolution + songs).
  • Skindred (skin + kindred).
  • "Weird Al" Yankovic's Alpocalypse (Al + apocalypse)
  • Digitalism

New Media

Toys

Real Life

  • Plenty of major American corporations have named (or renamed) themselves like this in order to look more "interesting" or "modern:" Verizon, Citigroup, and Microsoft are just a few examples.
    • Initializing and syllabizing corporate names became a popular trend in the 1950s and '60s. Instead of being known clumsily and stuffily as the National Biscuit Company, you could modernize and rebrand yourself as Nabisco, complete with a newly revised logo and matching modern font.
    • It's not just American companies either. British businessman Sir Alan Sugar's company is called Amstrad, which comes from his initials, 'Alan Michael Sugar' and 'trading'.
  • The Japanese language does this a lot, especially to loanwords. For instance, word processor becomes waapuro.
    • They do this because the language is syllable-based rather than letter-based - a portmanteau is the closest you can get to an acronym.
  • Urban planners seem to like these. "Metrorail, BosWash, and "Suburbanization," for example.
  • This was also quite popular in Russia, such as the Komintern (for the Communist International).
  • The online event NaNoWriMo, for National Novel Writing Month.
  • [[[Sitcom]]], [[[Britcom]]], and so on.

Video Games

  • The Combatribes = "Combat Tribe"
  • Pokémon was originally the series' nickname in Japan, where it is known as Pocket Monsters. It was adapted as the official overseas title in order to avoid infringement on the Monsters In My Pocket toyline.
  • Policenauts = "Police" and "Astronauts", although in this case "naut" is a legitimate suffix for an explorer, since there are also Aquanauts and Aeronauts.
  • Probotector = "Robot Protector" (Probotector being the European version of the earlier Contra games on home consoles)
  • The Nintendo Entertainment System is officially known as the Family Computer in Japan, but is commonly referred by its abbreviated name of Famicom, a name Nintendo officially adopted for its successor, the Super Famicom.
  • Psychonauts, which is actually a real word.
  • OneChanbara = one-chan ("big sis", or "young woman") and chanbara (sword fighting)
  • Recettear and Chantelise are both combinations of the names of two primary characters, Recette + Tear in the former and Chante + Elise in the latter.
  • Runark (Japanese title of Growl) = "Rune" and "Ark"
  • Terranigma = "Terra" and "enigma"
  • Slydris: Slide + Tetris, with a dash of Xtreme Kool Letterz.

Type B Examples

Anime & Manga

  • Dragon Ball is sometimes spelled as Dragonball
  • Fans often remove the space in Death Note, because there's no discernible space in the logo. As the label on the artifact itself will show, this is a mistake.

Film

Video Games

Music

  • Radiohead
  • Squarepusher
  • Soundgarden
  • Audioslave
  • MuteMath
  • MeltBanana
  • Inverted by Sigur Ros, which was named after a band members' younger sister: "Sigurros"
  • Pitchshifter
  • The Spacemonkeys
  • HelloGoodbye
  • Deadmau5
  • Self's song "ILoveToLoveYourLoveMyLove"

New Media

Western Animation

  1. ↑ thus giving us "Jūranger"
  2. ↑ The title is also a roundabout reference to Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone (Hari Pota to Kenja no Ishi).
  3. ↑ i.e., Jumperson
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