The New English Jargon File

The New English Jargon File is a collection of slang terms used by various subcultures of computer hackers. Though some technical material is included for background and flavour, it is not a technical dictionary; what we describe here is the language hackers use among themselves for fun, social communication, and technical debate.

The ‘hacker culture' is actually a loosely networked collection of subcultures that is nevertheless conscious of some important shared experiences, shared roots, and shared values. It has its own myths, heroes, villains, folk epics, in-jokes, taboos, and dreams. Because hackers as a group are particularly creative people who define themselves partly by rejection of ‘normal' values and working habits, it has unusually rich and conscious traditions for an intentional culture less than sixty years old. 

The New English Jargon File is an unofficial fork of the Official Jargon File, as maintained by Eric S. Raymond.  The principal changes to this notable public domain work are that it has been edited into ‘English’ English, and that it incorporates now deprecated entries from earlier editions.  The New English Jargon File is not only a window into present geek culture, but also a document on the history of hacker culture - and, of course, light hearted entertainment.

Corrections, submissions and correspondence related to this unofficial edition should be sent to Pascal Harris using the contact details contained within the File.