Linguistic Contributions of Batman

[Garson O'Toole]

Linguistically "bat" is a productive prefix in the batverse. The
following terms appear as entry titles in Wikipedia. (I used this as a
crude proxy for prominence. The list is, no doubt, incomplete.)

Batcave
Batmobile
Batwoman
Batgirl
Batsuit
Bat-Mite
Batarang (originally spelled baterang)
Bat-Signal
Batcomputer
Batboat
Batcopter
Batcycle
Batplane (later known as the Batwing, also referred to as the Batgyro)
Batdance (song by Prince, from the 1989 Batman soundtrack)
Batfink (animated television series, created as a parody of Batman)
Lego Batman
Batman Dracula (1964 film produced and directed by Andy Warhol)

Many other "bat" items are mentioned in Wikipedia but not at entry titles, e.g.:

Batblade
Batpod
Batskiboat
Batstrike
Batsub

Another set of items is associated with Batman's utility belt. These
are mentioned in Wikipedia or appear as re-directs but not as titles:

Bat-lasso
Bat-cuffs
Bat-monitor
Bat-Tracer
Bat Line
Bat-Darts
Night vision bat-goggles
Batlight
Micro bat-camera
Master Bat-Key
BatStungun/taser
Bat-Saw
Bat-Heater
Batrope
Repellant Bat Spray
Bat-grenades
Bat-bomb
Batcable
Bat-laser

On Sat, Jan 22, 2011 at 8:20 AM, Shapiro, Fred <fred.shapiro at yale.edu> wrote:
> ---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       "Shapiro, Fred" <fred.shapiro at YALE.EDU>
> Subject:      Linguistic Contributions of Batman
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> For an article I am writing on the impact of Batman on the English language, I would welcome suggestions of words, phrases, catchphrases, quotations, snowclones, and other linguistic memes originated or popularized by the Batman comic books, TV show, and movies.
>
> Fred Shapiro
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
>

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org