Do you remember the time when we didn’t know what COVID-19 was? Or the time when a coronavirus didn’t mean the coronavirus? At that time the vocabulary this post is about didn’t exist at all. Today, however, you might hear the words on TV, but you are probably most likely to come across them when surfing the Internet, and/or doom-scrolling (check out this post to know what that means). So, let’s learn and keep up with the times.

1. COVID-19. This neologism understandably tops out list. COVID stands for coronavirus disease, and 2019 is part of the term because the disease was first detected in 2019.

---

2. The Rona – a name for the coronavirus or COVID-19

Examples: 1) Try not to catch the Rona when you go out. 2) The Rona is all over the place. Be careful!

---

3. Corona/pandemic/COVID fatigue – a complex of emotions that includes sadness and boredom

Examples: 1) People suffering from pandemic fatigue can change their situations by adopting new safe activities such as reading more. 2) COVID fatigue hurts more than our mental health. It puts our physical health at risk, too.

---

4. COVID/social/support bubble – a group of people who create a social circle during the COVID-19 pandemic, prohibiting interaction with others

Examples: 1) Some experts suggest that everyone in a bubble should be about the same age. 2) Not everybody can form a support bubble. It is against the law to form a support bubble if you are not eligible.

---

5. Quaranteam / social pod – see COVID/social/support bubble above

Examples: 1) The members of her quaranteam were all in isolation for several weeks before they began traveling together. 2) You must form a social pod responsibly.

---

6. Quarantini – a cocktail that you drink while in quarantine, made from whatever ingredients are available to you

Examples: 1) We’ve rounded up some of the tastiest “quarantinis” to enjoy while standing at least six feet away from other people. 2) The coronavirus pandemic has forced the closure of bars, restaurants and anything worth drawing a crowd of 10 or more. But never fear: the “Quarantini” is here.

7. Quaranteen – a teenager who survived COVID-19 or a child who survived and became a teenager in this decade

Examples: 1) My kid is a quaranteen and I hate the term because it obviously sounds a lot like quarantine. 2) What activities are available to quaranteens these days?

---

8. (Coronavirus) long-hauler – a person who suffers from symptoms of COVID-19 for longer than two weeks, and generally for several months

Examples: 1) According to a variety of estimates, between 10–20% of people who get infected with COVID-19 can become long-haulers. 2) The most significant symptom that is being seen across the board in coronavirus long-haulers is fatigue.

---

9. Virtual happy hour / covideo party – an online social event, usually held over video meeting platforms like Microsoft Teams or Zoom

Examples: 1) Plan a theme when it comes to organizing your virtual happy hour. 2) Having some structure to a covideo party is strongly recommended so that all attendees are sure to participate and be engaged.

10. Covidiot – an insulting term for someone who ignores health advice about COVID-19

Examples: 1) Covidiots were still holding parties as the region recorded its highest ever death toll this week. 2) A covidiot doesn’t take COVID-19 and the risks of the virus seriously, despite what government and health officials say.

Did you like the post? Check out “COVID-Related Neologisms. Part 2” and be sure to subscribe to our blog for more content like this. Thank you for reading and stay safe! 😉

• Blog