Morphological process for derivation of the word “ish” from suffix “-ish”?

Question

"Ish" is a recently derived word (free root) conveying a sense of "so-so" or approximation. It is most commonly used as an adjective but occasionally as an adverb. I would not be at all surprised to see it appear in standard dictionaries within the next decade. Is there a term for the morphological process that derived the term "ish" from the derivational suffix "-ish"? Or is this an example of slang/colloquial usage?

Answer 1

Ish is listed in the OED as colloquial, first used 1986, and defined:

Qualifying a previous statement or description, esp. as a conversational rejoinder: almost, in a way, partially, vaguely.

It's also listed in at least some of these dictionaries, including Collins:

(slang) used to express reservation or qualified assent ⇒ Things are looking up. Ish