English Explanatory Dictionary

snowclone

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A formulaic phrase that can be customized to fit a variety of contexts.
verb
  1. To use a snowclone in speech or writing.

Pronunciation

/ˈsnəʊ.kləʊn/ /ˈsnoʊ.kloʊn/ en-us-snowclone.ogg en-au-snowclone.ogg

Word forms

snowclone snowclones snowcloning snowcloned

Etymology

Blend of snow cone + clone, in reference to the phrase “If Eskimos have dozens of words for snow, X have as many for Y” (which is an example of a snowclone). Coined by American television writer and economist Glen Whitman in January 2004, in response to Geoffrey Pullum on the blog Language Log.

Derived words

snowcloneification
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