When you discover that your code is not giving the right results, not because there is any bug in your program, but because there is a bug in the theory on which it is based.

Theoretical bugs are rare but more common than thought. When you find one, your perception of the world improves quantically.

A more day to day example, it is when you realize something you never saw before, not because it was not there, but because your mental model of the world didn't include it.

case 1
JC: I've been trying to find the bug in this program all night, but its looks perfect. Don't know why sometimes is producing weird results.
Guru: Its time to chase some Theoretical bugs.

case 2:

Linux_user: The problem with microsoft is not that they produced bad programs, but they copypasted so much software from other people, that the outcome was a walking Theoretical bug. At some much extent that, when it crashed it means it was really working.

Theoretical bug by jcmid February 5, 2010

The Theoretical Plate Standard

The Theoretical Plate Standard (TPS) is the certified bro measurement of bigness. Also known as the 1234, such an achievement requires a 1 plate press, 2 plate bench, 3 plate squat, and 4 plate deadlift. Brothers who can certifiably complete this challenge, are defined by bros around him as "the big guy." lifting weights science

It's been two years since I've been counting my macros and I still haven't reached the theoretical plate standard; I might need to go on gear.

The Theoretical Plate Standard by Dnom March 28, 2019

theoretical

Something based on experience; a guess based on what you know.

Planet X was a theoretical planet that scientists thought existed. They mistook from a miscalculation in Neptune's mass.

theoretical by mr.mcswagsalot December 12, 2016

Theoretical Friend

Old friends that you never really hear from anymore, apart from the occasional Text msg, Email or fleeting birthday card, that always contains one of the phrases: "we should meet up, hang out, do something, I'll call you..." but never actually make any arrangements. These are good on paper mates, those that bump up your personal sense of popularity but never actually see. Friends in theory.

"Are you kidding, Annie's not going to come, she's a Theoretical Friend..."

Theoretical Friend by KimberleyStrange July 16, 2008

theoretical high five

A high five which does not actually take place. The THF is initiated, followed by a short pause and then the uttering of the word "nice" by both participants.

Girl: Theoretical high five!
*short pause*
Girl + Guy: Nice!

theoretical high five by Devin & Sarah January 10, 2008

theoretical cougar

A woman of cougar age (usually divorced, separated or unmarried). She doesn't hunt younger men. Instead she lusts at them and mentions it to her close friends and/or relatives in private.

Mom (in a whisper): "Meredith, you see those 5 guys over there? They're hot! Aren't they?"

Meredith: "OMG Mom!!! Those guys are all my age!!!"

Mom (still whispering): "Yeah, I know. But I'd love to get with one of 'em. Too bad I could never tell them that."

Meredith: "You're such a theoretical cougar"

theoretical cougar by blacksburgcougee November 19, 2011

murderhobo

In a tabletop game, a murderhobo is a player who murders NPCs indiscriminately. This is normally derogatory, referring to a player who totally ignores quests, dialog, backstory, trade, world building etc.

The term is most common with Dungeons and Dragons, but it can be applied to most RPGs where the player is allowed to kill most quest-giving NPCs and NPC traders. E.g. Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Divinity original sin.

DM: The sad little orphan girl tugs at Steve's trenchcoat to get his attention, and ask for help saving her pet dog from...
Steve: I'd like to roll a strength check against strangling the orphan.
Dave: I call dibs on the dog.
DM: You murderhobos disgust me.

murderhobo by Loup&S September 9, 2021

Word of the Day on September 22, 2026

Whale

In sales terms, a whale is a prospect that is significantly larger than an organization’s average customer.

Whales are large and extremely difficult to close. Due to their immense size, they are highly sought-after.

A whale is typically identified at first by a whale hunter on the sales team, but often requires cross-discipline participation in order to close; this includes assistance from operations, engineering, creative, client success, and business development teams.

"Shit...the sales director chewed me out on the sales call this morning. He's totally pissed that I have nothing in my pipeline. I've been focused on this one whale for so long that I haven't had time to prospect for normal-sized deals."

Whale by FQ_GFY February 3, 2020

Word of the Day on September 21, 2026

Concrete cowboy

A guy who thinks he's a country kinda guy, but in reality lives a comfortable city / suburban life.

Eugene: Look at that dude in the cowboy hat!
Todd: He's just a concrete cowboy.

Concrete cowboy by EugeneJohnson42000 March 16, 2024

Word of the Day on September 20, 2026

hobo loko

any hard liquor that is cheap & potent.. eg. relska, popov, potters, evan williams, kamchatka, fireball, rumpleminze, southern comfort, everclear

hey let's get a drink of that?

go ahead
*takes drink* ugh wtf is that?

everclear & bepsi
fucking hobo loko eeessshh

hobo loko by d i z k o 2 0 8 September 14, 2026

Word of the Day on September 19, 2026

God Shot

A chance happening with profound meaning, an unexpected blessing, a "sign".

Dr. Drew on Celebrity Rehab said "All of a sudden what had been just another Hollywood proposal became for him an unexpected blessing, an opportunity for growth. In drug recovery language, that's called a "God shot."

God Shot by Imogen1564 February 25, 2011

Word of the Day on September 18, 2026

city chicken

A food native to Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania in which cubes of pork and/or veal are put on a short, wooden skewer, breaded, then baked and/or fried.

I've heard that city chicken originated during the Great Depression, when folks didn't have enough money to buy full cuts of meat, so they assembled meat scraps on a wooden skewer, creating a make-shift drumstick. Hence the name.

Are yinz havin' city chicken for dinner?

city chicken by TRF August 31, 2006

Word of the Day on September 17, 2026