- Today's Word
Zoomphoria
[zoom-FOR-ee-uh]
Definition
- (noun) The sudden burst of energy and motivation one experiences after a productive video call or online meeting. It’s that fleeting sense of accomplishment and enthusiasm that makes you feel like you can conquer any task right after hanging up.
Example
After her brainstorming session on Zoom, Sarah rode her zoomphoria wave and managed to outline her entire project proposal in just an hour.
Fun Fact
The term “Zoomphoria” is a blend of “Zoom” (the popular video conferencing platform) and “euphoria” (a feeling of intense excitement and happiness). This type of word creation, known as a portmanteau, is common in forming new slang terms. Interestingly, the phenomenon this word describes relates to a psychological concept called “communication high,” where social interaction boosts mood and energy levels. In the context of remote work, “Zoomphoria” captures a unique aspect of modern digital communication, highlighting how language evolves to describe new experiences in our rapidly changing world.
(noun) The range of one’s knowledge, understanding, or awareness.
Quantum physics lies far beyond my ken, no matter how many articles I read.
Ken comes from Old English cennan, meaning “to know” or “to make known,” and is closely related to Middle English and Scots usage where it meant knowledge, perception, or recognition. Over time, the word narrowed to describe the limits of what someone knows or understands, which is why it’s often used today in phrases like “beyond my ken.”