Scientific American article from 01977 by Hoo-Min D. Toong defines a “microprocessor” as a “computer central processing unit on a single chip”, but then in the introduction to the article says, “(sometimes several chips)”. #etymology #history
on 02026-05-26#OED definition of “tinfoil”: “Tin hammered or rolled into a thin sheet; also, a sheet of the same rubbed with quicksilver, used for backing mirrors and precious stones; a similar sheet of an alloy of tin and lead, used as a wrapping to protect comfits, etc., from moisture or air.” So already 100 years ago in 01926 there was “tinfoil” that had other metals in it, specifically mercury and lead. The first citation is from 01467–8, “Tynfole”. #etymology
on 02026-01-14excellent article on the #etymology, #history, and sense evolution of “gift” and “present”
on 02026-01-03Another copy of Anthony A. Oettinger’s letter coining “software engineering”, CACM volume 9, number 8, August 01966, pp. 545–546. #history #etymology
on 02025-11-11#PDF scan of Anthony A. Oettinger’s letter coining “software engineering”, CACM volume 9, number 8, August 01966, pp. 545–546. #history #etymology
on 02025-11-11Bertrand Meyer claims that the term “software engineering” dates back to at least 01966 when #ACM president Anthony A. Oettinger published it in a letter to the community, explaining: “While much of what we do is or has its root in not only computer and information science, but also many older and better defined sciences, even more is not at all scientific but of a professional and engineering nature.” #history #etymology
on 02025-11-11the #etymology of calling a subroutine or function. #history
on 02025-07-09#Etymology of “torbellino” in Spanish
on 02024-05-23#Etymology of “tourbillon” in French (and “torbellino” in Spanish, “torvelinho” in Portuguese, etc.)
on 02024-05-23#Etymology of “torbellino” in Spanish
on 02024-05-23The #etymology of Spanish “éxito” is just Latin exītus, exit.
on 02023-09-24#etymology of the informal #AAVE use of “cock” to mean “vagina”
on 02016-08-12