Fluid's definitions

ad lib

Short for ad libitum. Means spontaneously, without prior practice or just unrestrained. Often refers to artists improvising, also known as "ad libbing", in other words playing from the top of their heads.

After the song was done they kinda started ad libbing into what seemed to be a whole new track, but was really just the guitarist fooling around.

by Fluid December 26, 2003

pedantic

A state of mind which is about caring a lot about formalities, often more than necessary. One may be called pedantic when he/she points out corrections in unimportant details.

Okay okay, so there were five people there instead of four, no need to be pedantic. Now anyway...

by Fluid February 5, 2004

BOFH

Bastard Operator From Hell. We all know the bitter, secluded system administrator that is so sick of people pestering him that he would all too eagerly delete all your accounts, just because he can. BOFHs are usually operators long enough in the business to have lost all sense of respect for the maggots that keep calling him about their broken computers.

Do not anger the BOFH, for he has root access.

Shit! The damn BOFH changed my passwords again!

by Fluid August 29, 2003

Deus Ex Machina

Dates from ancient Greek times, where "deus ex machina" ("god from the machine") in a play referred to the act of lowering a god on stage using a cable device (therefore, a god from a machine) to decide in a dilemma and give fate a nudge, so to say.

These days, deus ex machina has the negative connotation of an utterly improbable, illogical or baseless plot twist that drastically alters the situation, as if the "deus ex machina" came down to give fate that little push.

I liked the movie, but the ending was total crap...they could've come up with a better way to beat the villain than the deus ex machina ending of that guy miraculously coming back to life.

by Fluid October 10, 2003

ne bis in idem

Latin phrase meaning "not twice for the same", a legal rule that states someone cannot be prosecuted twice for the same crime. This is usually implemented into legal procedure as double jeopardy.

The prosecution attempted to have the suspect prosecuted afterwards when they found new evidence, but this was impossible because of the ne bis in idem rule.

by Fluid September 1, 2004

WHQL

Windows Hardware Quality Labs, Microsoft's division where they test software (often drivers) on various hardware to see if it works properly.

I'm not downloading those drivers, I'll wait for the WHQL certified version in case they screw up.

by Fluid August 16, 2003

fud

Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. Also known as scare tactics, either accomplished by threat or making the opponent doubt his standpoint. Not only used in lawsuits, but also in politics and military propaganda.

The company's FUD spreading caused many supporters to abandon their cause, except for the few that could see through its scaremongering propaganda.

by Fluid July 14, 2003