Blogtrek

Skyjacking and carjacking

In the book Predicting New Words, by Allan Metcalf, the nonword skyjacking is mentioned. This word was coined about two to three decades ago to describe the hijacking of aircraft. We almost never use the word anymore. However, we do use carjacking a lot. What's the difference? According to Mr. Metcalf, it is because skyjacking has a cute pun, sky versus hi, making light of a serious subject. According to Mr. Metcalf, "cute" or "clever" words almost never survive. Words need to settle in the language unnoticed. Carjacking has survived because there is no such pun; it simply describes the objectionable practice of forcing someone out of a car and taking their car. If so, then what's wrong with planejacking? Why hasn't that appeared in our language?