How did COVID-19 impact the use of Japanese complex words with <i>masuku</i> ‘mask’ in 2020?

Abstract This paper examines how the situation caused by COVID-19 impacted use of a well-entrenched word in Japanese: masuku ‘mask’. An inspection data gathered from an online newspaper shows sharp increase token and type frequency complex words with ‘mask’ 2020 (mid-pandemic) compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic), implying recurrence variegation mask-related topics media. Focusing on varied types containing ‘mask’, offers construction morphology account they distribute within network words. The most dominant means expand was compounding, creating not only hyponyms (i.e., using as head compound, ago-masuku ‘chin mask’) but also other non-head, masuku-gimu ‘mask obligation’). Beyond playful language blends led creation new path, albeit small one. argues development involved both mundane exceptional creativity.