gapology n. the study or discussion of marked differences between groups, viewpoints, or situations. Also, gapologist, a person who studies such differences. Etymological Note: Gap ‘a conspicuous disparity or difference (between two things)’ + -ology ‘study of’ (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Mark in Bismarck, North Dakota, spent years as a sailor, and wonders about the term sea painter, meaning “a rope attached to a lifeboat.” Why painter? The word may derive from Middle French pendeur meaning “a kind of rope that...
A resident of Michigan’s scenic Beaver Island shares the term, boodling, which the locals use to denote the social activity of leisurely wandering the island, often with cold fermented beverages. There have been various proposed etymologies...
Other citation:
2010 Mark Thienes, Brian Brockhoff, “Gapology: How Winning Leaders Close Performance Gaps” explores discoveries around the differences between leaders who meet expectations and those who do not. Gapology provides root solutions to quickly identify and close performance gaps.