Explanation
A nonce formation is a linguistic innovation created for a particular occasion. Its interpretation may depend strongly on context and familiar word-formation patterns. Occasion-specific use does not necessarily imply unintelligibility or irregularity. Nor does one corpus occurrence establish that a form was used only once: a corpus samples usage. The transition towards a widely circulating innovation can be gradual. Analysis must therefore distinguish a local creative function from subsequent diffusion and lexical establishment rather than separate nonce formation and neologism solely by an incidental count.
Movement of thought
1. Record the unusual formation. 2. Reconstruct its occasion. 3. Describe the formation pattern. 4. Search for further uses. 5. Assess local function and later establishment separately.
Scientific use case
Lexicographic research can track earliest attestations, distribution and reuse without identifying first discovery with actual invention.
Example
Someone invents “sofa-Sunday” for a rainy free afternoon, although it is Wednesday. Context makes the playful formation intelligible.
Counterexample
A rare technical term does not become a nonce formation merely because it appears once in a corpus.
Distinction
Distinguish nonce formation from hapax legomenon, established neologism, error and inherently unproductive formation.
Effect on thought and perception
The formation exposes productive language use in a particular situation.
Resonance
A word may arise for a moment and nevertheless travel onwards.
Provenance
Parallel corpus 98f0950771ae4662f291d2f15f5c51b6797f3c20ba458a68615cdb177002ea18; case-bounded source review accepted; human specialist review not claimed.
Cite this entry
Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Nonce formation“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G04-021. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G04-021The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.