I was chatting with my partner earlier and the subject came to principles, and that sometimes it needs to be possible to deviate from them if circumstances call for it. In other words, be able to apply principles in a flexible manner.

And then there it was; she produced the most wonderful new word I’ve heard in ages: flinciple (after discarding other candidates like flexiple and princible).

The context in which it was used is about cooking vegetarian:

In principle I only cook fish, vegetarian or vegan meals, 
but if circumstances require I can be flexible and adjust accordingly!

Surely the concept of having flexible principles can apply to the workplace as well. I’m definitely going to start using it.

a word of two other words smashed is called a portmanteau. I do like a good portmanteau, and flinciple is a beautiful specimen. It conveys in a single word what otherwise would need two words. Portmanteaus are omnipresent in the English language and new ones appear constantly. Here are some examples:

• Spork — spoon & fork
• Fortnight — fourteen & nights
• Internet — international & network
• Flextension — flexible & extension
• Brexit — Britain & exit (terrible prospect)

Go and start using flinciple yourself in your language. Or even better, try to come up with some of your own.

This post is part of a series of articles about “What I Have Learned Today”; acknowledging every day the thing I have learned. Feel free to read the other posts. all opinions in this article are my own and not necessarily represent the views of my employer.