02 Jun 2026 I came up with a new word

by Robin Murphy

I came up with a new word. Maybe the creativity was spurred by my recent practice of writing with my nondominant hand, which encouraged my brain to wander off-leash.

Well, my word is healthkeeping.

There are made-up words that now feel completely obvious. Athleisure wear is a perfect example. The first time you hear it, you understand it immediately: athletic clothing that somehow became acceptable for errands, lunch, school pickup, and pretending you might go to Pilates later.

Other words do the same thing. Brunch. Staycation. Mocktail. Hangry. Spork. Skort. They sound made up because they are made up, but they work because they name something people already understand.

That’s what I think healthkeeping does.

Housekeeping and housecleaning are different things. Housekeeping is the daily management of a home: laundry, dishes, changing sheets, putting things away, and staying ahead of the little piles that multiply when nobody’s looking.

Housecleaning is removing dust, grime, allergens, bacteria, pet hair, soap scum, kitchen film, and all the other things quietly taking up residence in your home.

Different work, but connected to the same bigger purpose.

Both support health. They create calm. They help a home feel easier to live in. They help the people in that home breathe a little easier, sleep a little better, and spend less energy dealing with their surroundings.

That’s why healthkeeping makes so much sense. It gives a name to something that’s been overlooked for a long time. Housekeeping and housecleaning aren’t just about appearances. They’re about taking care of the health of the home and the people who live there.

Do you have a made-up word that you love?

It can be one you invented, one your family uses, or one that is already out there and says exactly what it needs to say.

Reply to this email with your favorite made-up word and you’ll be entered into a raffle for a free cleaning. Next Tuesday, I’ll share some of my favorite submissions and announce the winner.

Cheerfully,