Vol. 10 · Portmanteaus ·Early 20th century ·1954
Breathalyzer
breath analyzer
- Meaning
- A device that measures blood alcohol from breath.
- Source words
- breath + analyzer
- Coined by
- Robert Borkenstein
- Year
- 1954
Background
Indiana State Police chemist Borkenstein invented the device and trademarked the name; the word generalised once drink-driving laws adopted the test as standard.
Early 20th century
Industrialisation generated new things that needed new names, fast. Motoring, electricity, telecommunications, and urban pollution all produced portmanteaus within a generation of their arrival.
Two words, one coinage.
Browse every portmanteau on the shelf — or cross over to the loanwords atlas.