Explain the concept of 'neologism' and provide an example.

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Explain the concept of 'neologism' and provide an example.

The concept of 'neologism' refers to the creation or introduction of new words or phrases into a language. Neologisms can be formed through various means, such as combining existing words, borrowing from other languages, or inventing entirely new terms. These newly coined words often emerge to describe new concepts, technologies, or cultural phenomena that were previously unnamed.

An example of a neologism is the word "selfie." Coined in the early 2000s, it refers to a photograph taken of oneself, typically with a smartphone or webcam, and shared on social media platforms. The term gained popularity as the act of taking self-portraits became more prevalent with the rise of smartphones and social media platforms like Instagram. "Selfie" quickly entered mainstream vocabulary and is now widely recognized and used across different languages and cultures. This example demonstrates how neologisms can emerge to capture and describe new behaviors or trends in society.