unexpected thermal event

Engineer doublespeak for "shit caught on fire"

Press 5 had an unexpected thermal event
Translation: shit went sideways and we had to call the fire department.

by Mark Barker June 24, 2021

thermal event

An exothermic reaction where large amounts of smoke are generated but no flames are observed.

My house was subject to a thermal event and was reduced to ashes. I didn't see it, so it must not have been a fire.

by coldandbothered November 17, 2010