tmesis

noun·/tmiːˈsiːs/

The separation of parts of a word by the insertion of other words, often for emphasis or rhythm, as in "abso-bloody-lutely." Tmesis is grammatical surgery: the word split but still recognizable.

“Un-freaking-believable,” he said—tmesis turning one adjective into a small explosion.

Etymology

From Greek tmēsis “a cutting,” from temnein “to cut.” The term is blunt about its method.

Related Words

infixthe inserted element, in linguistic terms
expletive infixationa common modern form of tmesis
elideanother figure of removal rather than insertion
zeugmaa different kind of grammatical strain