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levidrome
DCHP-3 (Oct 2022)
inspired by palindrome
n. — Games, Education
a word that, when spelled backwards, yields another word.
Type: 1. Origin — Levidrome is a neologism, a new word created by then-5-year-old Levi Budd in 2017 (see the first 2017 quotation and Image 4). Levi, enchanted with palindromes, noticed that some words spelled backwards formed a different word. However, he and his parents could find no widely accepted term with which to call this type of linguistic phenomenon. (However, a few such terms exist, for example heteropalindrome, (s)emordnilap, reversegrams, mynoretehs. These terms have not been popularized either, as they are not included in any major dictionaries.) They decided to name it after Levi, who was the first person they knew to have noticed it. Supported by a quest of Levi's parents (see, e.g., Levidrome promo video) and helped along with the enthusiastic support of several teachers (see Images 1 & 2), journalists (see Image 3), celebrities (see the second 2017 quotation by William Shatner) and various members of online communities (see the third 2017 quotation), the word is now spreading around the globe (see 2022 quotation).
As a campaign word, levidrome has faced opposition by some in the lexicographical community. DCHP-3, however, considers levidrome to be a new, playful Canadianism whose type of development is not without precedent in fully established forms of English, such as flour, which replaced the older mael (see OED-3, s.v. "flour", def. 1a; see the 2018 quotation).
As a campaign word, levidrome has faced opposition by some in the lexicographical community. DCHP-3, however, considers levidrome to be a new, playful Canadianism whose type of development is not without precedent in fully established forms of English, such as flour, which replaced the older mael (see OED-3, s.v. "flour", def. 1a; see the 2018 quotation).
This word is the result of a modern day language campaign. Terms for the phenomenon existed before, such as semordnilap or emordnilap, which is palindrome(s) spelled backwards.
Quotations
2017
"Levi Budd, a Grade 2 student at St. Michaels University School, coined “levidrome” to describe a word that forms another when spelled backward, like pool and loop, or spit and tips. With media and celebrity attention, the word has been gaining attention."
2017
"Dearest @OxfordWords I just sent you an email about #Levidromes - a word that when spelled backwards, turns into a different yet valid english word for addition to your dictionary. Please see: https://youtu.be/jpZ3bh1R6Kk for more info on this new exciting word! ❌⭕️❗️ Bill"
2017
["Schools all over Canada and North America have also been in touch with Levi to show if that they have been coming up with levidromes of their own. Popular sites such as Urban Dictionary have also picked up on the levidrome."]
2018
But it’s often difficult to find certain words in regular discourse, said UBC associate linguistics professor Stefan Dollinger, who was in London, England.
“Using levidrome naturally, not just talking about it, is a very high bar,” Dollinger said. “That’s a tall order. How often do you talk about palindromes, or levidromes?”
2022
It was no reflection on the beers because those in the know were well aware of the talent of the owner and founder, Mike Jorgensen. Ekim – a levidrome of Mike – was just one of those small breweries that reached a cult-like level of devotion from fans but never seemed to crack the mainstream.
References
- OED-3
- Levidrome promo video (2017) • Video
Images
Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 13 May 2024
Image 1: A school bulletin board display in Victoria, BC. Photo: N. Bowyer.
Image 2: A classroom whiteboard display in Brampton, ON. Photo: R. Budd.
Image 3: Article in the Saanich News, 17 January 2018. Photo: C. Reeuwyk.
