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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/20670
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/20670
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Here are some of the qualities I came up with:

**Flow.** The two words have to flow together smoothly. _Brangelina_ is an easy combination of _Brad_ and _Angelina_. It helps when the two words share letters or sounds.

**Syllables.** Swapping out the same number of syllables keeps the rhythm of the original word. This is why _Snowmageddon_ works. _Snowpocalypse_ has the same syllables but less flow because there's a slight pause where the two consonants come together.

**Spelling.** The written version of flow. You have to be able to spell it easily and intuitively, or people won't want to share it. _Bennifer_ works really well; while _BeyonZ_ has flow, you have to think about how to write it so the names are recognizable.

**Recognizable parts.** It's easy to pick out "John" and "Sherlock" in _Johnlock_ or "drama" and "comedy" in _dramedy_.

**New recognizable entity.** Obviously there's no such thing as a _Sharktopus,_ but you know exactly what that word is trying to describe. A _mockumentary_ is a parody of a documentary. _Brunch_ is the meal well after breakfast but too early for lunch.

**Sound.** It has to sound like a word. _Jorts,_ a combination of "jeans" and "shorts," sounds weird and hasn't caught on. _Spork_ is silly but workable. _Motel_ has been around so long that you might not know it's a combination of "motor" and "hotel."

Original score: 2