Buttplug:
Colloquialism for
USB Flash Drive.
"Buttplug" is more fun, easier to say, and pleasantly irreverent compared to terms like "thumb drive", "flash drive", "jump drive", or "
USB drive". It's shape, colours, optional tassels, and method of use is casually reminiscent of the term's literal namesake.
This new application of the term "buttplug" was coined by the members of an environmental
non-profit on Haida Gwaii, Canada and its use has
spread among professionals on island, and has also taken root in the University of
Victoria, Canada geography labs, presumably through a professional contact. Its use locally is so widespread as to warrant nary a raised eyebrow, except with new-comers.
"Can I borrow your buttplug to copy some photos to my laptop?"
"You can insert your buttplug only if it doesn't have any viruses on it."
True Story: While at a meeting with provincial
government representatives, a
local professional was accessing files on his
USB drive, resulting in the LCD projection screen to announce to the crowd of collected people "Inserting Buttplug"; a variety of grins, grimaces, and quizzical looks resulted.