Definition of Buzzword
Buzzword is a word or phrase that is popular for a certain time. Buzzword first occurs in 1946 when F.M. Halgren and H. Weiss used it in their research published in American Speech. In grammar, it is a noun and is mostly used in an informal sense. Sometimes it appears in hyphenated shape while at others it appears de-hyphenated.
Simply, a buzzword is a phrase or word that becomes popular due to any reason, though, mostly it is in the world of business and often includes some technical terms. They mostly originated from jargon or technical terms, acronyms or neologisms. In modern times they include computing and cyber terms.
In literature, a buzzword is a term that becomes popular in writings disregard of its origin. Some popular literary terms used in science fiction have become popular such as android, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, etc.
Common Buzzword in Literature
- Digitalization of Literacy
- Online-Offline Classes
- Face-to-Face Teaching
- Guided Reading
- Multiple Intelligence
- Instructional Steps
- Reading Culture
- Generation Z
- Generation Y
- Yellow Generation
- Petro-Dollar
Examples of Buzzword in Literature
Example #1
From 1984 by George Orwell
Down in the street little eddies of wind were whirling dust and torn paper into spirals, and though the sun was shining and the sky a harsh blue, there seemed to be no colour in anything, except the posters that were plastered everywhere. The blackmoustachio’d face gazed down from every commanding corner. There was one on the house-front immediately opposite. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption said, while the dark eyes looked deep into Winston’s own. Down at street level another poster, torn at one corner, flapped fitfully in the wind, alternately covering and uncovering the single word IN-GSOC.
This passage occurs in 1984. Although the novel often evokes similarities with the current age of digitalism and intrusive internet proliferation, it has several slogans and other such buzzwords such as IN-GSOC used by the end of this passage. BLackmoustachio’d is another such word used in this passage. However, it is another thing that it has not become as popular as Bib Brother has.
Example #2
The Big Society
This buzzword is in much use these days. Its first usage appeared during the heydays of the Conservative Party and it is stated that Steve Hilton used it when he was working as the director of the strategy for David Cameron. He popularized this idea much further during the elections of 2010. The major idea behind the popularity of this buzzword is to attract the public toward the main argument of empowering them.
Example #3
Data Science
Used in computer technology, this term has appeared recently in this decade and has become a buzzword not only in the world of education but also in the world of technology and the internet. It is also used in mathematics and algorithm. It means to use data in scientific methods in different computer applications in such a way that they reap maximum benefits in research, marketing or any other such application. It has also given birth to several other such terms such as data generation, big data and data mining.
Example #4
Paradigm Shift
Used in security studies, this term first appeared during the time of Thomas Kuhn and he is stated to be the founder of this term. However, it has been mostly used in scientific studies in experimental situations. Despite his restriction and usage of the term in scientific studies, it has penetrated in security studies and literary criticism during recent times and has become a buzzword in the field of international relations. However, its first usage appeared in 1962 in his book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.
Example #5
Digital Literacy
This is also a recent concept. It has appeared in relation to teaching using a computer and digital gadgets such as mobiles/cell phones or tablets. It means the ability of individuals to participate in communication information through some mean and understand it. It also means the understanding of any source of information such as images, texts and their usage.
Functions of Buzzword
Buzzwords, specifically in literature, are used in fiction and essays. They not only provide space to the authors, but also provide them handy words to present heavy ideas and reach the maximum audiences. They also show their effectiveness when used in fictional texts and become popular among the audience. Although they appear as jargons, they also become common with the passage of time winning wider acceptance among the public.
