Common clippings (truncations) in English

What are clippings? Well, we’re not talking about newspaper clippings here. We’re talking truncations.

Whether you’re trying to increase your fluency or simply trying to understand native speakers, clippings or truncations can be very confusing. Clippings and truncations in English are shortened forms of words created by dropping one or more syllables or parts of the word. They’re often used for convenience, informality, or brevity in speech and writing. Honestly, many native speakers don’t realize that we use them daily.

Why clippings are used

• Efficiency: Shortened words save time and effort in communication.
• Informality: They create a relaxed, friendly tone.
• Cultural trends: Clippings often emerge in specific communities (e.g., “bro” from brother in casual or slang contexts) and spread through media or social groups.

Types of clippings

On a technical note, there are four kinds of clippings: fore-clippings, back-clippings, middle-clippings, and complete clippings. You don’t really need to memorize this unless you’re trying to teach.

1. Fore-clipping: The beginning of the word is removed.
2. Back-clipping: The end of the word is removed.
3. Middle-clipping: The middle of the word is removed, or parts from both ends are clipped.
4. Complex clipping: Clipping occurs in a phrase or compound word, often reducing multiple words.

Common clippings with examples and explanations

1. Fore-clipping

These involve dropping the initial part of the word, often leaving the latter syllables. Remember, we often shorten everything in spoken and written English.

• Phone (from telephone)
  • Explanation: The prefix “tele-” is dropped, leaving a shorter, more convenient word. Common in everyday speech.
  • Example: “Call me on my phone.”
• Gator (from alligator)
  • Explanation: The first syllable “alli-” is removed, creating a casual term often used regionally or playfully.
  • Example: “Watch out for that gator in the swamp!”
• Bus (from omnibus, which is basically outdated when referring to a “bus” that people ride in)
  • Explanation: The prefix “omni-” is clipped, resulting in a concise term for public transport.
  • Example: “I missed the bus this morning.”

2. Back-clipping

The most common type, where the end of the word is dropped.

• Ad (from advertisement)
  • Explanation: The latter syllables are removed, creating a short, informal term widely used in media and marketing.
  • Example: “I saw an ad for a new phone.”
• Lab (from laboratory)
  • Explanation: The word is shortened by dropping “-oratory,” commonly used in academic or scientific contexts.
  • Example: “She’s working in the chem lab.”
• Gym (from gymnasium)
  • Explanation: The ending “-nasium” is clipped, resulting in a casual term for a fitness or sports facility.
  • Example: “I’m heading to the gym after work.”
• Exam (from examination)
  • Explanation: The suffix “-ination” is dropped, creating a concise term used in educational settings.
  • Example: “I have an exam tomorrow.”

3. Middle-clipping

The middle of the word is removed, or parts of both ends are clipped, often blending sounds.

• Fridge (from refrigerator)
  • Explanation: The prefix “re-” and part of the middle are dropped, and the word is slightly altered for ease of pronunciation. Note: sometimes spelled “frig” historically.
  • Example: “Put the milk in the fridge.”
• Script (from prescription)
  • Explanation: Used in medical contexts, the middle syllables are clipped, leaving a shorter form.
  • Example: “I picked up my script from the pharmacy.”
• Maths (from mathematics, especially in British English)
  • Explanation: The middle and end are clipped, creating an informal term for the subject.
  • Example: “I’m studying maths this semester.”

4. Complex clipping

Clipping occurs in phrases or compound words, reducing multiple words or parts.

• Sitcom (from situation comedy or situational comedy)
  • Explanation: Combines the first part of “situation” and “comedy” to describe a genre of TV shows.
  • Example: “I love watching sitcoms on Netflix.”
• Sci-fi (from science fiction)
  • Explanation: Takes the first syllables of both words, creating a term for a literary or media genre.
  • Example: “She’s a huge sci-fi fan.”
• Mod cons (from modern conveniences)
  • Explanation: Clips both words to describe contemporary household amenities.
  • Example: “The apartment has all the mod cons.”

Notes of interest

• Informality: Clippings are typically informal and more common in spoken English or casual writing. For example, “prof” (from professor) is used in student slang but less in formal academic writing.
• Cultural variations: Some clippings vary by region. For instance, “uni” (from university) is common in Australia and the UK but less so in the US, where “college” or “school” might be used instead.
• Evolution: Clippings can become standard words over time, like “bus” or “phone,” which are no longer considered informal.
• Context: Some clippings are context-specific, like “demo” (from demonstration or demolition), where the meaning depends on usage (e.g., “a product demo” vs. “a building demo”).

Conclusion

Cippings and truncations are a dynamic feature of English, enhancing efficiency, informality, and cultural expression in communication. By shortening words or phrases through fore-clipping, back-clipping, middle-clipping, or complex clipping, speakers create concise, casual terms like “phone,” “ad,” “fridge,” or “sitcom.”

While primarily used in informal contexts, some clippings, such as “bus” or “exam,” have become standard. Understanding these shortened forms not only aids in deciphering native speech but also highlights the evolving, context-driven nature of language, shaped by cultural and regional influences.