A New Pill for Every Ill: A Construction Morphology Analysis of -pill in Manosphere Discourse

Abstract

 In this paper I investigate the development of pill from a lexeme to a highly productive derivational affix. This productivity is manifested in the creation of numerous neologisms based on the constructional schema provided by stems combined by the newly-formed affix (redpill, bluepill, blackpill, pinkpill, dogpill, etc.). I focus on the semantic and functional development of pill in the online discourse of the members of the so-called manosphere as well as its gradual spread beyond these communities. I adopt the general theoretical framework of the usage-based approach to language change with special reference to the field of construction morphology. I apply the notion of constructionalization in order to place adequate focus on the semantic and functional aspects of change that the lexeme pill undergoes. Constructionalization bypasses the limitations and biases present in grammaticalization research and allows a focus on the more abrupt modifications in form and meaning that are taking place in limited pockets of language over relatively short timespans.