Short for community hopping. Having a
casual interest, usually based on curiosity or
boredom, in a wide variety of social communities, hobbies and interests but
never getting to the point of engaging or participating in these communities. Essentially one is hopping from one community to another while
never becoming a community member themselves. Usually comhopping manifests through watching community-specific YouTube channels, websites and message boards. One who comhops is a comhopper. The comhopper
never participates in the communities they hop. Instead they will lurk message boards and simply watch YouTube channels without rating or commenting. A comhopper’s interest in any particular community may last days to weeks before moving onto another community. A comhopper may also enjoy actual community members’ enthusiasm about the particular interest without sharing the enthusiasm themselves.
Hey
Steve, I saw you watching some bodybuilding YouTube channels. I didn’t know you were into it. Want to go to the gym with me tonight and we can work on some sets together?
Oh, umm, I’m just comhopping actually. I just wanted to learn about it a little bit, but thanks for the offer!
Hey
Claire, I couldn’t help but notice you’ve been reading a lot about the
transgender experience. Do you know anyone who is transitioning?
No, I’m a comhopper. I didn’t know much about it and just wanted to learn. I also love to see how fulfilled and comfortable people who have transitioned are.