Perhaps you were too shy to ask or just didn’t give social media definitions much thought. Either way, the evolution of social media terminology is a fascinating subject. And new, hip phrases are coming into the spotlight at a prodigious rate. I mean, just a few years ago, no one had ever heard of Twitter. Now, Twittering is the current online craze.


Blog
A “Blog” is a contraction of the term Web Log. A blog implies regular entries and frequent updates usually focused on a singular subject. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of most blogs.

Blogosphere
The blogosphere is an imaginary space where blog chatter floats around. This atmosphere of thought and opinion all over the Internet has a distinctive personality, depending on the blog subject matter and passion. The political blogosphere, for example is always “abuzz” about something. But the same is true about the passions you’ll find in the very active gardening and wine blogosphere.

Meme
Meme rhymes with team. Memes are new or cool ideas that plant the seed for an extended back-and-forth conversation on the Internet. The idea thread keeps expanding because people keep building on the original concept.

Twitter
Twitter is a real-time micro-blogging application that people have been drawn to because it’s a fast, fun way of sharing bits of information. Most of the time, it’s about what you’re working on, or what you think about something others are interested in. Truly, Twitter is instant communication.

Vlogging
Vlogs are video-oriented blogs. A lot of bloggers think it’s easier to post videos on a site than write. The drawback to this is lack of search engine appeal. Search engines are weighted toward finding words more than finding images. However, some vlog sites are very entertaining. 

Web 2.0
The term "Web 2.0" describes the changing trends in the use of Internet technology and design that aim to enhance creativity, communications, secure information sharing, collaboration and functionality on the Web. Web 2.0 also connotes the enhanced interconnectivity and interactivity of content on the Internet. In business terms, Web 2.0 reflects a movement toward leveraging the evolving strengths of the Internet, including its use as a flexible platform.

Widget
Widgets tend to be mini-applications that can spread around the Internet away from the folks who created them. Sometimes they are little modules that perform a simple task (like a poll that tracks the data to poll questions). Sometimes widgets are cute mini games or small modules that track the weather or local (vehicle) traffic.

Wiki
Wikis are pragmatic, expandable collaboration tools available in one gathering place. They allow multiple people to work in the same document, and that document lives online. Plus, it saves all the old versions, keeps a history of who changed what, and so on. Corporate Wikis can become very lively forums.

We welcome your comments if you have thoughts about social media expressions.