low-latency energy

Any sugar-laden food or snack that gives an immediate energy buzz. Typically followed soon afterwards by dramatic low blood sugar depression.

After 23 hours of banging code, I decided to run down to Mr. Donut for some low-latency energy.

by Dig June 8, 2004

work latency

The time in between arriving at the office and doing actual work

Guan has been showing excessive work latency as of late. He comes in at 9:00 and goes to breakfast with his posse until 10:00 am.

by Yoo Jorgan May 5, 2010

negative latency

1. Noun: An imaginary term used to inflate excitement over new and upcoming hardware; associated with the gaming industry.

2.Noun: A proverbial scapegoat meant to counter arguments that seek to blame the game

1: "Specifically Bakar notes Google’s “negative latency” will act as a workaround for any potential lag between player and server. This term describes a buffer of predicted latency, inherent to a Stadia players setup or connection, in which the Stadia system will run lag mitigation. This can include increasing fps rapidly to reduce latency between player input and display, or even predictive button presses."

2: "Yo, I tech'ed that throw!" "Dawg, this got negative latency. You obviously didn't"

by Its_The_Doug October 9, 2019

Latency Tax

The invisible price humans pay for stubbornly refusing to use AI, automation, or any modern tool that could make their life easier, faster, or less soul-crushing.

Karen spent six hours formatting a Word doc while the intern just asked an AI to do it and went out for bubble tea.
Reply: “Karen’s not slow… she’s just making monthly payments on the latency tax.”

by CL4NK November 3, 2025