Like all languages , our expressions come from everywhere . They come from nature , sports , and food . They come from money , culture , music , history ! If you name the area , we can find a special word or expression that comes from it . The word we will talk about today comes from technology : bandwidth . The first definition of “bandwidth ” is the range of frequencies within a given band , especially when used for sending an electronic signal . In computing , it means the largest amount of data that can be passed along a specific path . For example , if you are making a video on your computer , it will use more bandwidth than if you were simply creating a document . When we talk about ourselves (and not our computers ), bandwidth has a similar meaning . Human “bandwidth ” refers to the total number of issues or amount information a person can deal with at any given moment . It is the emotional or mental space you need to do something or think about something . When you have lots of bandwidth , you can deal with anything life throws at you . But , when you are really busy or seriously worried , you might not have the bandwidth to deal with any additional issues . You simply do not have the time or mental space . We have other expressions that mean almost the same thing as being out of bandwidth . I can say I've hit my limit . I am swamped ! “Bandwidth ” can also simply mean your attention span . For example , let's say you are sitting at your dinner table thinking about an all-consuming problem . In this state , you are not able to focus on anything else . So , if someone tries to ask you a question , you can tell them , “Sorry . I do not have the bandwidth to talk to you right now . Come back in about an hour !” Now , sometimes we use the word “bandwidth ” when we talk about our brains as computers . An article in Scientific American gives us a good example of this usage . Douglas Fields discusses the development of an electronic device worn on the arm that permits the wearer to mentally interact with a computer . He writes , “This achievement opens and expands the bandwidth of the brain's output .” Sometimes people use “bandwidth ” to simply mean mental ability . I might say : “Oh , do not to try to explain the issue to Alex . He doesn't have the bandwidth for something so difficult .” Used this way , it means "Alex " is not intelligent enough to understand . It is a clear insult . So , be careful using it that way . Now , let's hear "bandwidth " used in this short conversation between two friends . Okay , let's go over the shopping list . We don't want to forget anything . Do we have to do that right now ? But the party is next month . So , time is running out . There's plenty of time . And right now … I have a lot on my mind . You can't be that busy . Well , today at work , I lost all my documents when my computer crashed . Well , you have back-ups of all your documents , don't you ? I had just finished writing three long stories . I'll have to work overtime the rest of the week or I'll miss my deadline ! Maybe we should change the subject . This morning my sister called to tell me that my great aunt died . Oh , I'm so sorry . But my mom can't take care of the funeral plans . So , now I have to . That's going to take a lot of time . Yes , it is . But that's not all . Last night , my apartment flooded from a leak in the pipe ! So , I have to fix it by tomorrow because my boss is coming over for an important dinner meeting !! You are swamped ! Really up to your neck . Tell me about it ! So , please understand if I don't have the bandwidth right now to plan for a party that is a month away !! Sounds like someone is out of patience as well as bandwidth . Has there been a time when you ran out of bandwidth ?