Complex sentence: H. L. Mencken is credited with coining the word "ecdysiast"--from "ecdysis", meaning "to molt"--in response to a request from Gypsy Rose Lee for a "more dignified" way to refer to her profession.
Split into simpler sentences: H. L. Mencken is credited with coining the word "ecdysiast", from "ecdysis", meaning "to molt". He did so in response to a request from Gypsy Rose Lee for a "more dignified" way to refer to her profession.