Butt-to-Ground Adapter An impromptu stool fashioned out of an audio/video equipment box set on end. Overheard on the set of MTV’s Austin Stories.
GIFSCII ASCII art that has been converted to a GIF file to preserve the original formatting and typeface.
Rep Surfing To repeatedly call a toll-free customer-service line until you get a representative who will do what you want, such as cancel a bill or authorize a refund.
Spiraling Death Syndrome A modem problem in which the connection progressively slows as the device drops in speed to negotiate noise, but never bumps back up again.
Warm Props Television jargon for newsroom employees who buzz around in the background of "live" news programs. "OK, for this next wide shot of the studio, we need a lot of warm props on the floor."
Tip o' the English riding helmet to Paul Davis, Mark Frauenfelder, Robert Lauriston, and Bruce Sterling.
This article originally appeared in the December issue of Wired magazine.
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