Introduction

#======= THIS IS THE JARGON FILE, VERSION 4.1.4, 17 JUN 1999 =======#

This is the Jargon File, a comprehensive compendium of hacker slang illuminating many aspects of hackish tradition, folklore, and humor.

This document (the Jargon File) is in the public domain, to be freely used, shared, and modified. There are (by intention) no legal restraints on what you can do with it, but there are traditions about its proper use to which many hackers are quite strongly attached. Please extend the courtesy of proper citation when you quote the File, ideally with a version number, as it will change and grow over time. (Examples of appropriate citation form: "Jargon File 4.1.4" or "The on-line hacker Jargon File, version 4.1.4, 17 JUN 1999".)

The Jargon File is a common heritage of the hacker culture. Over the years a number of individuals have volunteered considerable time to maintaining the File and been recognized by the net at large as editors of it. Editorial responsibilities include: to collate contributions and suggestions from others; to seek out corroborating information; to cross-reference related entries; to keep the file in a consistent format; and to announce and distribute updated versions periodically. Current volunteer editors include:

Eric Raymond esr@snark.thyrsus.com

Although there is no requirement that you do so, it is considered good form to check with an editor before quoting the File in a published work or commercial product. We may have additional information that would be helpful to you and can assist you in framing your quote to reflect not only the letter of the File but its spirit as well.

All contributions and suggestions about this file sent to a volunteer editor are gratefully received and will be regarded, unless otherwise labelled, as freely given donations for possible use as part of this public-domain file.

From time to time a snapshot of this file has been polished, edited, and formatted for commercial publication with the cooperation of the volunteer editors and the hacker community at large. If you wish to have a bound paper copy of this file, you may find it convenient to purchase one of these. They often contain additional material not found in on-line versions. The two `authorized' editions so far are described in the Revision History section; there may be more in the future.

• Introduction: The purpose and scope of this File
• A Few Terms: Of Slang, Jargon and Techspeak
• Revision History: How the File came to be

• Jargon Construction: How hackers invent jargon
• Hacker Writing Style: How they write
• Email Quotes: And the Inclusion Problem
• Hacker Speech Style: How hackers talk
• International Style: Some notes on usage outside the U.S.
• Lamer-speak: Crackers, Phreaks, and Lamers

• Pronunciation Guide: How to read the pronunciation keys
• Other Lexicon Conventions: How to read lexicon entries
• Format for New Entries: How to submit new entries for the File

• With frames or without frames: The lexicon itself

• Appendix A: Hacker Folklore
• Appendix B: A Portrait of J. Random Hacker
• Appendix C: Helping Hacker Culture Grow
• Bibliography: For your further enjoyment

Introduction