using the term "tack" when you are adding an option to a script command

[absentmindedjwc]

I am curious about this, I have never heard someone refer to something like "-o" as "tack o" before watching your show. Is this a general term (asked some sysadmins at work about it and they have never heard of it either), or is it something that you just picked up. Sort of like a nerd slang.

Let me know,

J

[darkknight512]

I looked up "Tack" on Wikipedia and came up with this "Military speak for a hyphen"

[que3jxp]

I found this strange as well right up to remembering that ! is called BANG and the # is called POUND. It is all old school geek speak.

[tokenuser]

I found this strange as well right up to remembering that ! is called BANG and the # is called POUND. It is all old school geek speak.You might also hear - as dash (more common).
# can sometimes also be called Hash or hatch, which is one reason why - is sometimes called tack ... to differentiate the symbols over a crappy comm line.

Remember that a lot of computer science evolved out of military systems, and indeed it was a career many ex-military people were attracted to after Korea (early days of computer comms) ... and that influence went onto the 60's and 70's.

[snubs]

I had no clue what tack was til a few years ago. Guess it makes sence though.