The Flatte Project: Brave new word
Like many writers, I follow (and occasionally participate in) contests and humour websites devoted to new words. These activities are all good fun, but such games don’t blunt my desire to create an actual bona fide word that makes it into common parlance.
I have long dreamed of coining a new term that seeps into general conversation. The Flatte Project is my attempt to realize that dream.
So, to definitions:
flatte |ˈfläˌtā| noun : a decaffeinated latte
The construction is similar to “blog” – the last letter of a two-word phrase (“web log”) coupled with the full second word. In my case, “decaf latte” becomes “flatte.”
The case for flatte:
1. It’s a single, short word for a common item for which there is no existing term.
2. Pronounced correctly it is descriptive of the product – a latte will wake you up, but a flatte will leave you flat.
4. It has memetic staying power, at least with me. I really have come to think of decaf lattes as flattes. Of all my coinage attempts, this one that sticks.
I hope that you will consider incorporating “flatte” into your day-to-day interactions. Please help me spread the word.
The Flatte Project: How you can help | Patchen Barss
July 13, 2011 @ 8:07 pm
[…] I began mounting an effort to make the word “flatte” a part of everyday cafe culture. Now I need your help. I […]
The Flatte Project: Hurdles, measures of success | Patchen Barss
July 15, 2011 @ 3:56 pm
[…] my effort to make the word “flatte” a normal part of cafe culture chatter, I’m trying to be […]
lucy
July 18, 2011 @ 4:33 am
i can so make this happen for you! starting tomorrow!
The Flatte Project: Is that the best you’ve got? | Patchen Barss
July 28, 2011 @ 12:06 pm
[…] “Flatte” is not the only word I’ve ever invented. […]
Kathy Vey
August 6, 2011 @ 4:05 am
3. There is no number 3. Flatte is still an excellent neologism.
The Latte Rorschach Art Project: Coffee with a friend | Patchen Barss
August 29, 2011 @ 10:36 am
[…] blots” I call these images “blottes.” I hesitate to cross streams with The Flatte Project, but really, “blotte” is just too good to pass […]
The Rorchach Latte Art Project: Blotte diem | Patchen Barss
September 12, 2011 @ 1:26 pm
[…] when I want someone else to pull my espresso. (Bonus trivia: This yummy-looking drink is actually a flatte! Don’t you just want to go order one now?) Blotte […]