Ink-Stained Word Coiners

Neologizing journalists such as Damon Runyon, Walter Winchell, and the Alsop brothers auditioned one coinage after another, some of which became part of the national conversation (although most didn’t). Columnists such as David Brooks and Thomas Friedman insistently coin words and phrases, few of which have caught on. Inventing words seems to be an occupational hazard of writing a newspaper column. Damon Runyon and Walter Winchell invented words so prolifically that their patois became known as “Runyonese,” and “Winchellese.” Runyon and Winchell were just one of a long line of newspaper columnists whose colorful coinages and overheard slang became part of the American vernacular. Beatnik originated with San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen, southern strategy with Joseph Alsop, and bleeding heart (liberal do-gooders) with Westbrook Pegler.