In last week’s blog (published on 10 February), I asked readers to suggest a word similar to ‘vista’ but which could be used to refer to a scene in a small room rather than in a large outside space. In response, ‘Merrily’ wrote asking me to find – if needs be to invent – one and to tell readers of my discovery. Well, here it is! Over twenty words were suggested by readers but ultimately I invented one myself – nanorama.
The word ‘panorama’, which for all intents and purposes has the same meaning and use as vista, was invented in the late eighteenth century. It was designed to indicate a view that was expansive in both depth and width, hence the prefix ‘pan’ or ‘all’. I realised that if the ‘pan’ is replaced by ‘nano’, a word nowadays used to indicate ‘small’, as in ‘nanotechnology’, the modified ‘panorama’ could be used to refer to a view seen in something small – so a room.
Nanorama would be pronounced such that the ‘nano’ element would mirror the ‘pano’ of panorama. Interestingly, nanorama would work just as well in French or Italian. Job done!
The Joe Collier Blog 
A great word Joe, enjoying looking at my nanorama as I sit drinking coffee. Judith x
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Dear Judith, Thank you for comment – I am glad the new word appealed and felt workable. Love, Joe
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I’m sitting here in my kitchen, sipping coffee and looking out onto our smallish walled patio garden – that’s a patorama I suppose?
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Dear Alan, It seems that my suggestion has opened a major word seam. There are bound to be more. Yours, Joe
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Good word Joe!
love
Robin
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Dear Robin, I am delighted to hear that the new word works for you. Love, Joe
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Joe – I think Nanorama is completely brilliant. I’d scrabbled around after reading your original post and tried but failed to come up with anything. All I could see was the crying need for a word – along with teasing images of Queen Mary’s dolls’ house, Victorian model theatres and Pollock’s Toy museum … However, I don’t agree that this is a case of ‘Job Done’. In all seriousness, I think you now have to lay claim to the etymology and urgently make contact with Susie Dent, the OED, Chambers and all the rest. Strike now, immediately, while the iron is still sizzling hot: I just did a Google search of Nanorama and got zero results. It’s all yours …. Love and congratulations – Charles
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Dear Charles, I was delighted to read your comments/approval. I am not quite sure why I need to lay claim to the word’s origin. Does it really matter?. However, I might try! Love,Joe
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Joe: of course it matters. Laying claim to the origin of this lovely word can be done quietly. The explanation would be seem not boastful – but interesting, informative, illustrative of the creative process and rather inspiring. Please take this suggestion seriously – Charles x
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Dear Charles, Persuaded – I’ll start tomorrow. Love,Joe
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Joe: GREAT: quite right too – Charles x
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