From pixel to netizen, these tech terms are actually two-part portmanteaus

Portmanteaus are formed by blending two existing words. For example, brunch combines the words breakfast and lunch, while podcast was coined in 2004 from iPod and broadcast. Because creating portmanteaus is simpler than inventing entirely new words, several technology-related terms are actually made of two parts.

Here are six technological portmanteaus – and their origins – that will make navigating the constantly changing internet a whole lot easier.

Malware

Combines: malicious and software

Meaning: any computer program that is intended to interfere with or damage a user’s network. Malware is often used by cybercriminals to hack devices or steal personal information.

Example: Do not open files from unknown senders because they may contain hidden malware.

Isn’t it funny to think of yourself as a citizen of the internet instead of a country or city? Photo: Shutterstock

Netizen

Combines: internet and citizen

Meaning: any person who frequently engages with the digital world. Today, netizens often play a role in shaping the public perception of cultural events and current situations.

Example: After the controversial video was posted, netizens left angry comments and unfollowed the company on social media.

Pixel

Combines: picture and element

Meaning: the tiny squares that form an image or display screen. Each pixel has a specific colour and brightness, which makes it the smallest element that can be controlled in an image.

Example: Most modern laptops have over 4 million pixels.

DC Comics’ Victor Stone (left), from the crime-fighting teams Teen Titans and Justice League, is part man, part machine, and uses the superhero name Cyborg. Photo: Cartoon Network

Cyborg

Combines: cybernetic and organism

Meaning: a being made up of technological and biological elements. Cybernetics is a field of study concerning communication in animals and machines.

Example: Darth Vader from Star Wars is my favourite cyborg, while Inspector Gadget is my least favourite.

Webinar

Combines: web and seminar

Meaning: a presentation communicated over the internet. Businesses and schools often use webinars to reach and engage a large audience that might not have been able to attend an in-person event.

Example: My school hosted a webinar for parents to learn about the new uniform policy.

A window into an application makes it that much easier to see which events are coming up, what time it is elsewhere, and what the weather will look like, all without leaving a single screen. Photo: Shutterstock

Widget

Combines: window and gadget

Meaning: a small display on a device that lets you access important information without opening the full application. Many smartphone apps offer widgets that you can add to your home screen or lock screen.

Example: The weather widget on my phone said it would be bright all day.