Home Subjects Archives Quotations
Search: Search Tips

Vulcan nerve pinch noun. Hacker slang for the key combination that resets or reboots a computer or program (such as Ctrl-Alt-Delete, AKA the "three-fingered salute").

Example Citation:
"Doh! Looks like Netscape is sucking mud again. Time for the old Vulcan nerve pinch."

Notes:
This phrase originates from the original Star Trek series in which Mr. Spock (a Vulcan) would render foes unconscious with a casual neck pinch. Wondering about the phrase sucking mud? This is another colourful hackerism (it was the Daily Word back on September 22, 1996) and it refers to a crashed computer or program. According to the Jargon File, this phrase comes from the oilfield lament, "Shut 'er down, Ma, she's a-suckin' mud."

Subject Category:
Computers - General

Posted on July 20, 1997 at 7:40 AM


 Recent posts:
  jingle mail
  tuxeda
  boreout
  scuppie
  allergy bullying
  IMBY
  agflation
  mullet strategy
  walkshed
  daughter track
 Alphabetical archives:
  A B C D E F G H I
  J K L M N O P Q R
  S T U V W X Y Z #
 Other links:
Top 100 Words

Recent Words

Recent Quotes

Word Spy, The Book

Word Spy Citations

Feedback

My Favorite Words

My Neologisms

Paul McFedries



Copyright © 1995 - 2008 Paul McFedries and Logophilia Limited