Yes, brillig is indeed a real word, famously coined by the renowned author Lewis Carroll. While it may not appear in every standard dictionary, its existence and meaning within the literary world are well-established.
The Origin of Brillig
Brillig originates from Lewis Carroll's nonsensical poem, "Jabberwocky," which is featured in his 1871 novel, Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There. The poem is a masterpiece of wordplay and inventiveness, showcasing Carroll's unique ability to create words that sound plausible yet defy conventional meaning.
Within the narrative of Through the Looking-Glass, the character of Humpty Dumpty famously provides an explanation for some of the poem's unusual words, including brillig.
What Does Brillig Mean?
According to Humpty Dumpty, brillig refers to four o'clock in the afternoon, a time when one begins "broiling things for dinner." This definition adds a layer of whimsical, albeit somewhat peculiar, logic to Carroll's invented vocabulary. It suggests a specific moment of the day associated with a culinary activity, however unusual the choice of "broiling" might seem for a tea-time hour.
Status as a Word
While brillig is a neologism (a newly coined word) and specifically a portmanteau (a word blending the sounds and meanings of two others, though its exact components are left to the imagination), its widespread recognition through Jabberwocky grants it a unique status. It's an example of how literary invention can introduce words into public consciousness, even if they don't enter mainstream everyday language.
Many dictionaries, particularly those focused on etymology or literary terms, often include brillig along with its context and meaning from Carroll's work.
Key Facts About Brillig
To summarize the key characteristics of this fascinating word:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Creator | Lewis Carroll (pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) |
| Source Text | "Jabberwocky" poem, found in Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There |
| Meaning | As explained by Humpty Dumpty, it refers to four o'clock in the afternoon, specifically the time for broiling dinner. |
| Word Type | Neologism, Portmanteau (a blend of words without explicitly stated component words, often used for its evocative sound and implied meaning). |
| Cultural Impact | Widely recognized due to the enduring popularity and literary significance of Jabberwocky, influencing other creative works and discussions about language and nonsense. |
Brillig stands as a testament to the creativity of language and how authors can expand its boundaries, even if only for the duration of a whimsical poem.
