Fluid's definitions

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

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

angry fruit salad

An interface or layout that has too many bright colors, often hideously contrasting for maximum eyestrain. Prevalent in MacOS and recently Windows XP that have extremely colorful menus and buttons. The term "angry fruit salad" refers to the fact that canned fruit salad often looked unnaturally colorful, almost neonlike. The sight of such a color jumble was then referred to as an angry fruit salad.

I don't like the iMac's OS...too much angry fruit salad.

by Fluid May 28, 2004

\o/

A smiley of a cheering guy throwing his hands in the air, expressing great happiness. In a rare case, it can portray someone throwing his hands in the air in exasperation or panic.

1. YES! My new computer has arrived! \o/

2. Dammit, I have loads of work to do and tomorrow's the deadline! \o/

by Fluid August 26, 2003

hubris

Advanced arrogance, thinking you're way more important than you really are and are really presumptious. Closely related to megalomania.

It's about time the RIAA is smitten by some deity for hubris and stop thinking they are the law.

by Fluid July 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

phlogiston

A widely-researched phenomenon in the Middle Ages, phlogiston was thought to be an inherent substance in all things that could burn. When something was burned, phlogiston was visible in the form of flame, and was released into the air. In turn, people thought something would not burn without air because the air was already "full of phlogiston" and no more could be released into the air. In short, phlogiston was believed to be the substance that fire was made of.

These days, under influence of modern science, the concept of phlogiston is usually regarded as superstition.

by Fluid March 30, 2004