If I were to utter the word ‘Romanticide’ to say…a linguist, I would more than likely get a response that goes something like:

“That is NOT a word.”

We’re going to start here. What is it that defines a word? Luckily for me, I have a dictionary.

Word:
1: a: something that is said (1): talk, discourse (2): the text of a vocal musical composition c: a brief remark or conversation word with you

2: a (1): a speech sound or series of speech sounds that symbolizes and communicates a meaning usually without being divisible into smaller units capable of independent use
(2): the entire set of linguistic forms produced by combining a single base with various inflectional elements without change in the part of speech elements
b (1): a written or printed character or combination of characters representing a spoken word words to a line —sometimes used with the first letter of a real or pretended taboo word prefixed as an often humorous euphemism word on British TV — Time and talk about death — Erma Bombeck
(2): any segment of written or printed discourse ordinarily appearing between spaces or between a space and a punctuation mark c: a number of bytes processed as a unit and conveying a quantum of information in communication and computer work

3: order, command

4: often capitalized a: logos b: gospel 1a c: the expressed or manifested mind and will of God

5 a:news, information word that he would be late b:rumor

6: the act of speaking or of making verbal communication

7: saying, proverb

8:promise, declaration

9: a quarrelsome utterance or conversation —usually used in plural words and parted

10: a verbal signal : password

11: slang —used interjectionally to express agreement

Now that’s pretty extensive. Although I am partial to number 11, we’re not dealing with 11 definitions of the word with where I’m going. Let’s pay attention to the first two. Romanticide is most certainly something that can be said. If you don’t believe me, I’ll post a voice record of me saying it. Plenty of definition 2 ties into definition 1. 2a, ties in with definition one. A speech sound or series of speech sounds, definitely sounds like something that can be said. Romanticide is made up of a group of written or printed characters. And if you are using decent english, you are following up Romanticide with some punctuation.

So so far, it looks like Romanticide is most certainly a word. The meaning of the word is pretty straightforward, too. The -cide suffix denotes an act related to killing. The definition of romance is:

Romance:
1: (1): a medieval tale based on legend, chivalric love and adventure, or the supernatural
(2): a prose narrative treating imaginary characters involved in events remote in time or place and usually heroic, adventurous, or mysterious
(3): a love story especially in the form of a novel b: a class of such literature

2: something (as an extravagant story or account) that lacks basis in fact

3: an emotional attraction or aura belonging to an especially heroic era, adventure, or activity

4: love affair

5: capitalized : the Romance languages

This time, I’m looking to one piece of the definition in particular, and that one is 3. Definition 3 makes me think of the word Passion. Which brings me to what romanticide means.

Romanticide: The killing of passion, or a substance that kills this function.

So there we have it. You can say it. You can spell it. You can read it in the characters drawn up for you on my blog. And as far as I’m concerned, it has a meaning.

From this day forth, romanticide is a word, and let no man tell you otherwise.

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