[Word Powers] Friday Fiesta - July 2009

This section covers the origin of certain words.

ping (ping)

Meaning:

Verb: Send a message from one computer to another to check whether it is reachable and active

In 1983, Mike Muuss, a computer scientist wrote a troubleshooting program to investigate odd behavior on IP network. He named it after the pulses of sound made by a sonar, since its operation is analogous to active sonar in submarines, in which an operator issues a pulse of energy at the target, which then bounces from the target and is received by the operator.

Jumbo (jumbo)

Meaning:

Adj: Unusually large

In the latter half of the 19th century, a giant African Elephant in the London Zoo was famous for giving rides to visitors. The keepers of the zoo gave this elephant a nickname most likely derived from the Swahili word “Jumbo” (which means 'Hello'). This nickname has spawned as common word meaning large in size.

Bite the bullet

Meaning:

Verb: to brace oneself up to go through a difficult experience

Its origin goes back to the days when wounded soldiers had to be operated on without painkillers & were therefore given an object that would help them prepare for the oncoming pain.