The Jargon File

A Chronology...The Jargon FileComputer Dictionary
WORMHOLE
n. A location in a monitor which contains the address of a routine, with the specific intent of making it easy to substitute a different routine. The following quote comes from "Polymorphic Systems", vol. 2, p. 54:
   "Any type of I/O device can be substituted for the standard device
   by loading a simple driver routine for that device and installing
   its address in one of the monitor's `wormholes.'*

*The term `wormhole' has been used to describe a hypothetical astronomical situation where a black hole connects to the `other side' of the universe. When this happens, information can pass through the wormhole, in only one direction, much as `assumptions' pass down the monitor's wormholes."
WOW
See EXCL.
XGP
1. n. Xerox Graphics Printer.
2. v. To print something on the XGP. "You shouldn't XGP such a large file."
XYZZY
See PLUGH.
YOYO
n. DEC service engineers' slang for UUO (q.v.). Usage: rare at Stanford and MIT, has been found at random DEC installations.
YOYO MODE
n. State in which the system is said to be when it rapidly alternates several times between being up and being down.
YU-SHIANG WHOLE FISH
n. The character gamma (extended SAIL ASCII 11), which with a loop in its tail looks like a fish. Usage: used primarily by people on the MIT LISP Machine. Tends to elicit incredulity from people who hear about it second-hand.
ZERO
v.1. To set to zero. Usually said of small pieces of data, such as bits or words.
2. To erase; to discard all data from. Said of disks and directories, where "zeroing" need not involve actually writing zeroes throughout the area being zeroed.
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