Final answer:
Blending is a linguistic process where two words are combined to form a new word, such as 'smog' from 'smoke' and 'fog'. The term 'smog' refers to a type of air pollution visible over urban areas. This concept is parallel to combination reactions in chemistry where substances combine to create a new substance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept in discussion involves the creation of new words through the combination of parts of two separate words, a process known as blending. An example provided is "smog," which is formed from the words "smoke" and "fog." This term specifically refers to a type of air pollution characterized by a mixture of smoke and fog, often visible over urban areas and resulting from the burning of fossil fuels. In the context of chemistry, we also see similar processes with combination reactions, where two or more substances combine to form a new single substance, such as A+B → AB. Blending in the English language serves a unique function, akin to the rhetorical device known as zeugma, where a single word yokes contrasting ideas together. This linguistic creativity contributes to the richness and adaptability of the language.