ABSTRACT
The UK’s 2016 referendum sparked an explosion of neologisms, most of which exhibit a high degree of creativity and ludicity, e.g. ‘regrexit’ or ‘brexhausted’. Wordplay here not only provides short-term comic relief or showcases the coiner’s creativity. By playing with language, speakers parody and satirise the whole event, while at the same time expressing their political attitude. This chapter explores creative linguistic mechanisms applied in the formation and use of these words; the reasons why such a serious event has provoked language users to be so playful when coining new words; and any pragmatic functions this ludicity may be fulfilling.
