An Analysis of Internet Catchwords from the Perspective of Conceptual Blending Theory

Internet catchwords are the popular on-line phrases or utterances coined by net citizens during their long-time internet practice. These phrases or utterances are innovative, humorous and widely spread, which fully show the personalities and life styles of the users. Developed from the mental space theory, conceptual blending theory is an important part of cognitive linguistic researches. Based on this theory and integration networks, this paper will explain the meaning construction of internet catchwords and the way people understand them. It proves that conceptual blending theory can provide detailed description and profound explanation of the perceiving process of internet catchwords. Meanwhile this paper will testify the cognitive explanation power of the conceptual blending theory.