Where does the term bit actually come from?

Where does the term bit actually come from?

Claude E. Shannon first used the word “bit” in his seminal 1948 paper “A Mathematical Theory of Communication”. He attributed its origin to John W. Tukey, who had written a Bell Labs memo on 9 January 1947 in which he contracted “binary information digit” to simply “bit”.

Do Americans use bit?

Answer: Two bits is commonly understood in America to be one quarter. The word “bit” long meant, in England, any coin of a low denomination. In early America, “bit” was used for some Spanish and Mexican coins that circulated and were worth one-eighth of a peso, or about 12 and one-half cents.

What does the slang term bit mean?

​(British English, slang) the boyfriend or girlfriend of somebody who is already married or in a steady sexual relationship with somebody else. Is he your bit on the side?

What does word mean in American slang?

‘Word’ in slang is a word one would use to indicate acknowledgement, approval, recognition or affirmation, of something somebody else just said.

What do British people mean by bits?

Of course, “bits” in British English is also downmarket slang for genitalia – “he was staring at my bits while I was showering!”…. Short for “bits and pieces” I would guess.

What does have a bit mean?

You use a bit before ‘more’ or ‘less’ to mean a small amount more or a small amount less. I still think I have a bit more to offer. Maybe we’ll hear a little bit less noise.

What does the slang word woke mean?

Waking up is a damn sight harder than going to sleep, but we’ll stay woke up longer.” By the mid-20th century, woke had come to mean ‘well-informed’ or ‘aware’, especially in a political or cultural sense.

What is the meaning of the word bit?

[bit] noun. a small piece or quantity of anything: a bit of string. a short time: Wait a bit. Informal. an amount equivalent to 12½ U.S. cents (used only in even multiples): two bits; six bits.

Where can I find a good American Slang Dictionary?

Dave’s ESL Cafe has a short guide to American slang designed to assist those who are learning English as a second language. Although it’s not a dictionary in the traditional sense, Slang City is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about the use of slang in America.

Why should I learn American street slang?

Learning American street slang is vital to understanding the growth and evolution of the English language. Here at YourDictionary, we’ve gathered comprehensive lists of American and regional slang. We’ve included definitions of the most common of these slang words and provided additional usage information in various slang articles.

What are funfunny American slang words?

Funny American slang words consist both of coined words and phrases and of new or extended meanings attached to established terms. Slang tends to develop from the attempt to find fresh and vigorous, colorful, pungent, or humorous expression. Examples of common slang within the United States include: