This weekend, the Week in Review section of the New York Times ran down the major catchphrases of 2005. One emerging trend is the fusion of the first names of two people who are coupled, creating a new name for the joint venture. Apparently the tabloiscenti have been referring to the Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes alliance as “TomKat.” Who knew?

I am familiar with the concept from hours spent poring over my occasional tour through Television without Pity , where couples on TV shows are referred to by such monikers as “Luby” and “Carby” (Luka/Abby and Carter/Abby on “ER”). A poster who advocates one particular pairing over another is called a “’shipper,” from the word “relationship.” Sample usage: “I’m a Carby ’shipper but I thought Luka and Abby had really good chemistry last night.”

But the couple name mash-up extends further back in history than Television without Pity or Bennifers I and II — further back, even, than “Billary.” In Tender is the Night, Dick and Nicole Diver sign letters as “Dicole,” a curiously phallic coinage, but perhaps appropriate considering that he was a psychoanalyst and she, a former patient. (Note to “TomKat”: That marriage was not exactly a raging success.)

Well, what’s good enough for TomKat is good enough for us. So I have decided that, henceforth, Husband and I will be jointly known as “Penise.” Also curiously phallic!

That should look good on next year’s holiday cards. “Season’s GreetingsMerry Christmas from Penise.”