FOMO
Meaning
FOMO is an acronym describing the anxiety or apprehension that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often fueled by social media posts.
Origin
The concept of 'FOMO' might seem like a modern invention, but the feeling itself—that gnawing anxiety about what others are doing without you—is as old as human community. However, the snappy acronym 'FOMO' was first coined by marketing strategist Dan Herman in 1996, in a research paper exploring the consumer behavior of Generation X. It truly exploded into the global lexicon with the rise of social media platforms in the 2000s. Suddenly, everyone had a front-row seat to the curated highlights reels of their friends' lives—parties attended, trips taken, achievements celebrated. This constant visual feed transformed a vague, occasional unease into a pervasive, daily phenomenon, giving a precise, punchy label to the modern human condition of being perpetually connected yet increasingly self-conscious.
Examples
- She felt a strong sense of FOMO seeing all her friends' vacation photos online while she was stuck working.
- To avoid FOMO, he tries to stay present and enjoy what he's doing rather than constantly checking his phone for updates.