Buzzword
/ˈbʌz.wɝːd/noun
A fashionable or trendy word or phrase used more to impress than to inform.
Did you know?"Buzzword" is a modern compound from the onomatopoeic "buzz" plus "word"—not ancient magic, but it became a perfect name for language that feels like a chant of influence.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
English
būsen / bysian
“No direct ancestor of "buzzword"; the core sound-imitating idea of buzzing and humming was already present in Germanic speech.”
Early Modern English
English
buzz
“To make a low humming or murmuring sound; also a humming sound itself.”
14th Century
English
word
“A spoken or written unit of language; also a promise, command, or report.”
1900s
English
buzzword
“A word or phrase that gains popularity and is used to impress or signal belonging.”
Modern English
English
buzzword
“A fashionable term used chiefly for effect, often with little precise meaning.”