# Another question for Linguists-- "Install" v. "Installation"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-question-for-linguists-install-v-installation/1019938>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [June 21, 2025, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-question-for-linguists-install-v-installation/1019938 "2025-06-21T16:26:54Z")\
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**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2025, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-question-for-linguists-install-v-installation/1019938/2 "2025-06-21T16:35:32Z")

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Linguists would call that “clipping’” A method of word formation by dropping the end off another word.

If anybody wants to think about it hard enough, they can come up with a subtle nuance of meaning to distinguish the two apparent synonyms. If they can pull it off by persuading enough other people, then a new word is born. More likely they will continue as synonyms.

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