- With the creation of Google+ earlier in the year came Google's own chat program called "Hangout". So, when people are online and more specifically on Gmail, the mention of 'hangout' becomes ambiguous because it could mean: 1. Let us physically hangout or 2. Let us start a video chat group on Google+. This term is still relatively new because not many people use Google+, so the term is currently staying within the Google or Gmail community. Also, hangout can be used in its verb form "hanging out" which is just the action of video chatting through Google+.
Hangout
other word formation type Noun
An online, group video chat through Google+.
Etymology : Came from the modern English word hangout and then used as a metaphor by Google to describe it's group videochat program. Instead of physically hanging out, people are virtually hanging out.
Source : Google+, May 2011.
Last modified: 2 December 2011