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From: shebs@utah-cs.UUCP (Stanley Shebs)
Newsgroups: net.misc,net.nlang
Subject: Re: Changing meaning of term "hacker"
Message-ID: <1902@utah-cs.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 15-Sep-83 15:29:10 EDT
Article-I.D.: utah-cs.1902
Posted: Thu Sep 15 15:29:10 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 16-Sep-83 00:32:15 EDT
References: houxm.544
Lines: 18

Once again for language purists:

		PHFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT!!!!!!!!!!!

The term "hacker" is of great antiquity (at least in the computer
time scale), and derives from the verb "hack" meaning "to chop
or slice, esp. in a wanton way" (this is not from the dictionary!).
Considering how most hackers treat their code, this is quite
appropriate!

I *am* concerned about the media-fostered and now legally-defined
meaning of "hacker" as "computer break-in artist".  Perhaps we
could get a legal definition of "politician" as "crook or waiting
for an opportunity to be one", and start a little prosecuting...

					Proud of it,
					stan the leprechaun hacker
					utah-cs!shebs