buzzword
UK[ˈbʌzwɜːd]US[ˈbʌzwɜːrd]
n
A word or phrase, often from a particular area of activity, that becomes very popular for a period of time and is used a lot, especially by journalists and other people who write or talk about that activity.
Morpheme Breakdown
buzz
word
buzz
sound, activity
word
unit of language
Etymology
The term 'buzzword' is a modern compound, originating in American English around the mid-20th century. Its first element, 'buzz', is an imitative word suggesting the lively, insistent hum of activity or excitement surrounding a new idea or trend. The second element, 'word', is the straightforward term for a lexical item. The compound's logic is transparent: it describes a word that generates a figurative 'buzz' of attention and frequent use within a specific professional, technical, or social sphere, often signifying its fashionable status more than its precise meaning.
Analysis
Structure: buzz (sound, activity) + word (unit of language)
buzz: Likely onomatopoeic in origin, imitating the sound of a bee. In the word, it conveys the sense of a humming, energetic, or fashionable activity.
word: From Old English 'word', meaning a unit of speech or writing. In the word, it denotes the lexical item itself.
Examples
"Sustainability" has become a major buzzword in corporate marketing.
The consultant filled his presentation with the latest management buzzwords.
It's important to look beyond the buzzwords and understand the actual policy.