From Fear to Joy: A Corpus Analysis of FOMO and JOMO

Authors

  • Moldir Khassanova

    Department of Foreign Philology and Translation Studies, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Gaukhar Yersultanova

    Department of Translation Studies and Foreign Philology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Aisulu Nurtayeva

    Candidate of Philological Sciences, Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University, Almaty 05000, The Republic of Kazakhstan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i2.8140
Received: 18 November 2024 | Revised: 11 January 2025 | Accepted: 13 January 2025 | Published Online: 20 February 2025

Abstract

This article presents a linguistic analysis of the terms FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) by means of corpus analysis and other additional tools to examine their evolution, frequency and contextual usage.Through the application of Ngram Viewer, Sketch Engine and COCA data, this study traces how these terms have shifted in meaning, reflecting society’s evolving views on social participation and individual well-being. The central focus this study is on how these terms have become embedded in social media discourse, with particular attention to their implications for mental health within the context of digital engagement. Additionally, we investigate the evolution of the term FOMO, tracing its roots to earlier expressions such as “keeping up with the Joneses” and “fear of being left out.” This linguistic transformation is deeply tied to the rise of social media and the way contemporary culture has shaped the lexicon to reflect new societal realities. By examining the evolving usage and implications of FOMO and JOMO, we offer insight into the ongoing dialogue about finding balance in the complexities of digital life.

Keywords:

Fear; Joy; FOMO; JOMO; Corpus Analysis

References

[1] Przybylski, A.K., Murayama, K., DeHaan, C.R., et al., 2013. Motivational, emotional, and behavioral correlates of fear of missing out. Computers in Human Behavior. 29(4), 1841–1848. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.02.014

[2] Alutaybi, A., Al-Thani, D., McAlaney, J., et al., 2021. Fear of missing out (FoMO) and internet use: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Behavioral Addictions. 10(4), 879–900. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2021.00083

[3] Alutaybi, A., Al-Thani, D., McAlaney, J., et al., 2020. Combating fear of missing out (FoMO) on social media: The FoMO-R method. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 17(17), 6128. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176128

[4] Dam, V.A.T., Dao, N.G., Nguyen, D.C., et al., 2023. Quality of life and mental health of adolescents: Relationships with social media addiction, fear of missing out, and stress associated with neglect and negative reactions by online peers. Plos One. 18(6), e0286766. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286766

[5] Ciudad-Fernández, V., Zarco-Alpuente, A., Escrivá-Martínez, T., et al., 2024. How adolescents lose control over social networks: A process-based approach to problematic social network use. Addictive Behaviors. 154, 108003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108003

[6] Blackwell, D., Leaman, C., Tramposch, R., et al., 2017. Extraversion, neuroticism, attachment style and fear of missing out as predictors of social media use and addiction. Personality and Individual Differences. 116, 69–72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.04.015

[7] Barr, S., 2019. Five signs you've swapped FOMO for JOMO. The Independent. Retrieved August, 19, 2020. Available from: https://www.independent.co.uk (cited 12 November 2024).

[8] Aitamurto, T., Won, A.S., Sakshuwong, S., et al., 2021. From fomo to jomo: Examining the fear and joy of missing out and presence in a 360 video viewing experience. Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems; 8 May – 13 May 2021; Yokohama, Japan. pp. 1–14.

[9] Biber, D., Conrad, S., Reppen, R., et al., 1999. Corpus linguistics: Investigating language structure and use. International Journal of Corpus Linguistics. 4(1), 185–188. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/ijcl.4.1.11lee

[10] Baker, P., 2010. Corpus linguistics and sociolinguistics: A guide for researchers. Abingdon: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203862797

[11] Moon, R., 1998. Fixed Expressions and Idioms in English: A Corpus-Based Approach. Oxford University Press: Oxford: Calarendon Press, England. pp.338.

[12] Khassanova, M., 2024. Decoding idiom change: Root form and frequency analysis of transformed idioms in American mass media. Porta Linguarum. 6, 147-168. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30827/portalin.viXI.31185

[13] Kopaczyk, J., 2013. Formulaic discourse across Early Modern English medical genres. In: Jucker, A.H., Landert, D., Seiler, A., Studer-Joho. N. (eds.). Meaning in the History of English. Words and Texts in Context. John Benjamins: Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company. pp. 257–300. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/slcs.148.12kop

[14] Li, Y., Meng, F., 2024. On nonce variant of English idioms. Sino-US English Teaching. 21(6), 291–295. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17265/1539-8072/2024.06.005

[15] Parizoska, J., 2022. Idiom modifications: What grammar reveals about conceptual structure. Lexis. Journal in English Lexicology. 19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/lexis.6293

[16] Belova, E.E., Arkhipova, M.V., Gavrikova, Y.A., et al., 2021. The Linguistic Cultural Analysis of Phraseological Units with the Zoonym Component. In Knowledge, Man and Civilization - ISCKMC 2020 (Vol. 107, pp. 158-164). European Proceedings of Social and Behavioural Sciences. https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2021.05.21

[17] Makedonova, O., 2016. Mechanisms of idiomatic transformations creating in contemporary English advertising discourse. ScienceRise. 6(1), 54–58. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15587/2313-8416.2016.72031

[18] Al-Hamdun, S., Al Mozari, S., 2024. Exploring the contribution of film and music in learning English idioms. Research Studies in English Language Teaching and Learning, 2(1), 12–22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62583/rseltl.v2i1.33

[19] Bulkes, N.Z., Tanner, D., 2017. “Going to town”: Large-scale norming and statistical analysis of 870 American English idioms. Behavior Research Methods. 49, 772–783. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-016-0747-8

[20] Azzahra, L., Nurmansyah, N., Putri, M., et al., 2024. Trend FOMO mahasiswa UIN Suska Riau. Journal of Creative Student Research. 2(4), 86–95. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55606/jcsr-politama.v2i4.3999

[21] Clairine, A., Lestari, E.I.D., Wiyono, E.N., 2023. Pengaruh Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) terhadap pola perilaku mahasiswa sebagai pengguna media sosial di wilayah Universitas Jember. Jurnal Insan Pendidikan dan Sosial Humaniora. 1(4), 127–139. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59581/jipsoshum-widyakarya.v1i4.1674

[22] Eitan, T., Gazit, T., 2024. The “here and now” effect: JoMO, FoMO, and the well-being of social media users. Online Information Review. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/oir-03-2023-0111

[23] Rybchak, Z., Kulyna, O., 2024. Synonymous variation of ‘War' in the British National Corpus using Sketch Engine: A linguistic analysis. MoDaST-2024: 6th International Workshop on Modern Data Science Technologies; 31 May - 1 June 2024; Lviv-Shatsk, Ukraine. pp. 1-17.

[24] Stewart, D., Biasi, P., Binelli, A., 2021. Using Sketch Engine: An analysis of nouns normally considered uncountable. Linguistic Analysis Review. 12(2), 89–104.

[25] Mubin, R., Ozoda, M., Mashhura, R., et al., 2024. The usage of COCA and investigations of vocabulary forming. Ta'lim Innovatsiyasi va Integratsiyasi. 21(3), 88–92.

[26] Metruk, R., 2016. Determining the priority in vocabulary when learning English through electronic dictionaries. Xlinguae–European Scientific Language Journal. 9(4), 2–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18355/XL.2016.09.04.2-8

[27] Oberst, U., Wegmann, E., Stodt, B., et al., 2017. Negative consequences from heavy social networking in adolescents: The mediating role of fear of missing out. Journal of Adolescence. 55, 51–60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.12.003

[28] Lee, J., 2021. Dealing with FOMO through emotional design. Available from: https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202104256333 (cited 09 December 2024).

[29] Supina, S., Lautama, S.S., 2024. Optimising the fear of missing out phenomenon as a framework to boost musical concert sales. International Journal of Applied Sciences in Tourism and Events. 8(1), 55–63. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31940/ijaste.v8i1.55-63

[30] Pantic, I., Damjanovic, A., Todorovic, J., et al., 2012. Association between online social networking and depression in high school students: Behavioral physiology viewpoint. Psychiatria Danubina. 24(1), 90–93.

[31] Kuss, D.J., Griffiths, M.D., 2017. Social networking sites and addiction: Ten lessons learned. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 14(3), 311. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14030311

[32] Rippé, C.B., Smith, B., Gala, P., 2023. A psychological examination of attachment insecurity, loneliness, and fear of missing out as drivers of retail patronage among emerging adults. International Journal of Consumer Studies. 47(5), 1838–1852. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.12958

Downloads

How to Cite

Khassanova, M., Yersultanova, G., & Nurtayeva, A. (2025). From Fear to Joy: A Corpus Analysis of FOMO and JOMO. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(2), 858–868. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i2.8140

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 2 (February 2025): In Progress

Article Type

Article

License

Copyright © 2025 Moldir Khassanova, Gaukhar Yersultanova, Aisulu Nurtayeva

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.