I was able to make up lots of portementos, literally…
“I was able to make up lots of portementos, literally hundreds and hundreds of words... See, I find that mine don't have any meanings. They're not proper. Although I've got a great dictionary of them. It's like the Cockney rhyming slang or something.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker reflects on creating a vast personal lexicon that feels meaningless and informal, likening it to playful slang rather than standard language.
In simple terms: Personal lexicon feels meaningless.
Language can be playful, not always formal.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing poetry
- inventing secret codes
- building fictional worlds
- personal journaling
- online role‑play
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- creative writing
- language games
Questions to Reflect On
- How does inventing your own words affect communication?
- When is informal slang appropriate?