Nine Words From Science Which Originated In Science Fiction 433
An anonymous reader writes "Oxford University Press has a blog post listing nine words used in science and technology which were actually dreamed up by fiction writers. Included on the list are terms like robotics, genetic engineering, deep space, and zero-g. What other terms are sure to follow in the future?"
other potential things (Score:5, Funny)
If it's anything, (Score:1, Funny)
Let's just hope klingon isn't added to a future revision of this list.
Not a word, but a phrase (Score:5, Funny)
Slashdot effect
As exemplified by that poor website everyone is now clicking on.
What is the Klingon word for loneliness? (Score:1, Funny)
Oh yes...maaaarrrrdoc
Re:Forgot to mention (Score:5, Funny)
They said "science", not "online wankery".
Well the way things are going (Score:4, Funny)
I predict Frack, Frell and Frag are coming soon...
Great Scott! (Score:3, Funny)
I don't know about you, but I tend toward this word whenever the possibility arises.
Re:How about Waldo? (Score:5, Funny)
It's an engineering term for a remote controlled robotic arm, derived from a Heinlein story.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldo_(device) [wikipedia.org]
Yes, but what good is such a thing if you can never find it? It will never catch on.
This one is certain (Score:1, Funny)
"Shai-Hulud."
I have foreseen it.
Scyence (Score:2, Funny)
Scyance.
That's Scyence you insensitive clod! :)
Unless of course you mean communicating with the dead [syfy.com]. In that case mea culpa.
Re:other potential things (Score:3, Funny)
Re:other potential things (Score:0, Funny)
I thought your mum was from StarWars
Re:Text from Google cache (Score:5, Funny)
Interesting that "Belgium" wasn't in the list.
Re:Grok? (Score:4, Funny)
My wife says "grok", and she normally only kisses one girl at a time. :-P
Re:The currency of the future is ... (Score:5, Funny)
Iain M Banks
Speaking of which, let's not forget the term Meatfucker.
Re:other potential things (Score:5, Funny)
Re:other potential things (Score:5, Funny)
I remember Arthur C Clarke saying that Sci Fi is something that could happen, while fantasy is something that could never happen.
[ducks!]
Re:Text from Google cache (Score:2, Funny)
No civilised society in the galaxy would put that word on such a list . . .
Was I the only one? (Score:5, Funny)
I gotta say it... I was pretty shocked to see "Thagomizer [wikipedia.org]" excluded from the article!
It's a term for the tail spikes of a Stegosaurus, which comes from this Far Side cartoon [wikimedia.org].
Re:Forgot to mention (Score:3, Funny)
Actually, I prefer the cry of vegetarian zombies: "GRAINS!"
Re:other potential things (Score:5, Funny)
I remember Arthur C Clarke saying that Sci Fi is something that could happen, while fantasy is something that could never happen.
Pfft, what does he know? Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
Re:I'm hoping for... (Score:1, Funny)
I have the same reaction whenever I wander around
the Virgo Cluster with my big Dob.
...laura
if you weren't a girl I'd assume you were talking about something else
Re:other potential things (Score:3, Funny)
Why, you coruscating maelstrom of unimaginable energies! You're a seven sector callout, Robot, and that checks to nine decimals!
Re:other potential things (Score:2, Funny)
Re:other potential things (Score:5, Funny)
"deus ex machina" is latin for "machine from god"
God from machine! What the Hell do schools teach these days? Originally, in Greek theater, a crane used to lower an actor from the sky to take the role of a God and ruin the ending of a play. Now used to describe how a Michael Crichton books ends.
Re:Grok? (Score:4, Funny)
Grok is an old maritime word. It means watered down rum, and was served the Royal British Navy to keep sailors from mutineering and to give them some essential vitamins. Sailors could demand a minimum of two cups of grok every day.
Re:other potential things (Score:3, Funny)
Their common ancestor is a carpenter.