Zaoony

Zaoony is a term used in online discussions to denote a fleeting, often humorous cultural artifact that rapidly gains attention on social media and then fades. It is commonly treated as a fictional or speculative concept rather than a fixed entity.

The origin of zaoony is not tied to a single creator. It emerged within internet discourse as a flexible neologism, adopted by various communities to discuss short-lived viral phenomena without naming a specific meme or trend.

A zaoony typically comprises a small piece of content—such as a caption, image, video, or phrase—that is easily copied or remixed. Its spread relies on user sharing and algorithmic amplification, while its shelf life is measured in days.

In academic and journalistic writing, zaoony functions as a heuristic for studying how fleeting memes arise, spread, and disappear, illustrating memetic replication, platform effects, and audience engagement. It is not an official taxonomy and varies in usage.

Because zaoony is primarily a descriptive, hypothetical category, there are no canonical examples. Analysts may retroactively label familiar viral moments as zaoony to discuss their temporary nature and the role of platform dynamics.

Related concepts include memes, virality, and internet culture.