Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2007 16:39:53 -0500
Reply-To: Sigurd Hermansen <HERMANS1@WESTAT.COM>
Sender: "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From: Sigurd Hermansen <HERMANS1@WESTAT.COM>
Subject: Re: OT: More FOO
In-Reply-To: <BAY103-F843420F2DC169D5346F23B0AA0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Has any considered a mundane alternative: file F00 (F<zero><zero>)? I
recall seeing assembler language programs that had files numbered
sequentially. The 'foobar' extension wouldn't be that big a jump from
'F00'.
I do find it fascinating that humans tend to believe the more
interesting explanations for any phenomenon. Or does it simply work out
that humans can't remember tedious explanations, so only the more
interesting ones survive?
S
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-sas-l@listserv.uga.edu [mailto:owner-sas-l@listserv.uga.edu]
On Behalf Of David L Cassell
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 2:22 AM
To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: RE: OT: More FOO
kviel@EMORY.EDU wrote:
>
>dictionary.com:
>
>Word of the Day for Wednesday, January 17, 2007
>
>foofaraw \FOO-fuh-raw\, noun:
>
>1. Excessive or flashy ornamentation or decoration.
>2. A fuss over a matter of little importance.
>
>Sorry, I could help it, with the penchant for FOO, and all:
>
>data FOO ;
>
>data FOOfuhraw ; * <- programming for fabulous job security? ;
>
>
>Kevin
>
>
>Kevin Viel
>PhD Candidate
>Department of Epidemiology
>Rollins School of Public Health
>Emory University
>Atlanta, GA 30322
It is generally regarded that the original use of 'foo' in the computer
programming biz came as an in-joke, from the nonsense word 'foo' used in
the (extremely) old comic strip "Smokey Stover". The comic's author,
Bill Holman, never gave anyone a straight answer about where HE got the
word. And since he died nearly 20 years ago, he's not likely to help
out now.
So maybe there's a connection to 'foofaraw'.
Or not.
David
--
David L. Cassell
mathematical statistician
Design Pathways
3115 NW Norwood Pl.
Corvallis OR 97330
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