tussenmute

Tussenmute is a term used in Dutch-language online communication to describe a specific audio state in real-time group calls and streaming chats. The word combines tussen, meaning between, with mute, the audio-silencing function, and is used to refer to a brief, transitional state between muting and unmuting one’s microphone. It appears in gaming communities, collaborative work tools, and live-stream chats, where quick mic toggling is common.

Etymology: The term is a neologism formed from Dutch tussen and the English loanword mute. It has no formal entry in major dictionaries and is primarily attested in informal online contexts.

Definition and usage: A tussenmute state occurs when a participant’s microphone is not actively transmitting but remains ready to be unmuted with minimal delay. This can help prevent accidental leakage of background noise while the speaker awaits a turn, or to indicate that the user is listening but may rejoin soon. It differs from a full mute in that the participant remains connected and possibly visible, and from the unmuted state that permits free speaking. In practice, people may describe themselves as tussenmute to signal temporary non-speaking status without leaving the conversation. Some communities treat it as a pragmatic etiquette, guiding when to toggle mute or keep one’s mic unmuted.

Variations and notes: Some users form compound spellings such as tussen-muted or use the term informally as a descriptor rather than a formal action. The concept is largely context-dependent and not standardized across platforms.

See also: mute button, push-to-talk, audio latency.