I'm absobloodylutely flumoxed!

[Azimov]

I remember on some quiz show many moons ago the host gave the term used to denote the insertion of one word between the syllables of another (as in the title of this question). I can't find any reference online. In fact I'm at a loss to even know how to phrase my search. Does anyone know what it is? An answer would be fandiddlytastic!!

[IndieSinger]

The interesting (and slightly rare) thing here is that the "bloody" (an infix) here interrupts a morpheme, which doesn't often happen. The process is called tmeses.

[IndieSinger]

Sorry that's the plural. The singular process is tmesis.

[Azimov]

Thanks Indie, that's the word. I knew I'd recognise it when I saw it!

[bernardo]

Wouldn't it be more logical to call it "tbloodymesis"?

[Quizmonster]

I'm sure 'tmesis' is the word you are looking for...however - as Indiesinger points out - that word does not really apply to 'absobloodylutely'. Strictly-speaking, tmesis involves the insertion of another word into a compound word. In the phrase: "for no reason whatsobloodyever", there is a tmesis, since 'whatsoever' is a compound word made up of what, so and ever. 'Absolutely' is not a compound word, except insofar - or insobloodyfar, if you like! - as the suffix 'ly' might at a pinch, though wrongly, be considered by some a 'compounding' element.

Regarding Bernardo's 'tbloodymesis'...that isn't a tmesis either!

[goowe]

I thought it was just an 'Alan Partridge-ism'

[Azimov]

Thanks QM, I agree "Tmesis" is the word I was looking for, unfortunately your reply casts up another question... What IS the word that describes insertion into non-compound words like "absolutely"? In fact, is there such a word or should I invent one? (see http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk:80/DA.go?category_i
d=12&email_user_id=23935&question_id=43150)

[Azimov]

Sorry that link should probably have been: question 43150