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The New Hacker's Dictionary - 3rd Edition Paperback – October 11, 1996

by Eric S. Raymond (Editor)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 44 ratings
See all formats and editions
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This new edition of the hacker's own phenomenally successful lexicon includes more than 100 new entries and updates or revises 200 more.

This new edition of the hacker's own phenomenally successful lexicon includes more than 100 new entries and updates or revises 200 more. Historically and etymologically richer than its predecessor, it supplies additional background on existing entries and clarifies the murky origins of several important jargon terms (overturning a few long-standing folk etymologies) while still retaining its high giggle value.

Sample definition

hacker n. [originally, someone who makes furniture with an axe] 1. A person who enjoys exploring the details of programmable systems and how to stretch their capabilities, as opposed to most users, who prefer to learn only the minimum necessary. 2. One who programs enthusiastically (even obsessively) or who enjoys programming rather than just theorizing about programming. 3. A person capable of appreciating {hack value}. 4. A person who is good at programming quickly. 5. An expert at a particular program, or one who frequently does work using it or on it; as in `a UNIX hacker'. (Definitions 1 through 5 are correlated, and people who fit them congregate.) 6. An expert or enthusiast of any kind. One might be an astronomy hacker, for example. 7. One who enjoys the intellectual challenge of creatively overcoming or circumventing limitations. 8. [deprecated] A malicious meddler who tries to discover sensitive information by poking around. Hence `password hacker', `network hacker'. The correct term is {cracker}.

The term 'hacker' also tends to connote membership in the global community defined by the net (see {network, the} and {Internet address}). It also implies that the person described is seen to subscribe to some version of the hacker ethic (see {hacker ethic, the}).

It is better to be described as a hacker by others than to describe oneself that way. Hackers consider themselves something of an elite (a meritocracy based on ability), though one to which new members are gladly welcome. There is thus a certain ego satisfaction to be had in identifying yourself as a hacker (but if you claim to be one and are not, you'll quickly be labeled {bogus}). See also {wannabee}.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    547 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    The MIT Press
  4. Publication date
    October 11, 1996
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.43 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0262680920
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0262680929
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This third edition of the tremendously popular Hacker's Dictionary adds 100 new entries and updates 200 entries. In case you aren't familiar with it, this is no snoozer dictionary of technical terms, although you'll certainly find accurate definitions for most techie jargon. It's the slang and secret language among computer jocks that offers the most fun. Don't know what the Infinite-Monkey Theorem is? Or the meaning of "rat dance?" It's all here. Most people don't sit down to read dictionaries for entertainment, but this is surely an exception.

Review

A sprightly lexicon.—William Safire, New York Times Magazine—

For anyone who likes to have slippery, elastic fun with language, this is a time for celebration...The New Hacker's Dictionary...is not only a useful guidebook to very much un-official technical terms and street tech slang, but also a de facto ethnography of the early years of the hacker culture.

—Mondo 2000—

My current favorite is 'wave a dead chicken.' New to you? You've waved a dead chicken when you've gone through motions to satisfy onlookers (suits?), even when you're sure it's all futile. Raymond's book exhilarates...The New Hacker's Dictionary, though, is not for skimming. Allot, each day, a half hour, severely timed if you hope to get any work done.

—Hugh Kenner, Byte—

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The MIT Press; 3rd edition (October 11, 1996)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 547 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0262680920
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0262680929
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.43 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 44 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Eric S. Raymond

    Eric S. Raymond

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    I design software, and I write books about software design. My software helps power pretty much every Internet-aware device you use daily - smartphones, ATMs, browsers. My books tend to have consequences and stay interesting for a long time. What I try to do is inquire deeply into timeless design patterns and the mindset that makes for great software

    When I'm not writing code or books, I'm a science fiction fan, a martial artist, a firearms instructor, and a championship-level strategy gamer. I like Szechuan food, cats, and redheads. I live in Malvern, Pennsylvania with a redheaded wife and a ginger cat. You can read my personal blog at: http://esr.ibiblio.org

    See more on the author's page
  2. Guy L. Steele

    Guy L. Steele

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    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
44 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

impitbosshereonlevel2
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth having
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2002
Verified Purchase
I would normally not consider buying something named "The New Hacker's Dictionary", as the first thing that comes to mind is "drivel for the stupid masses". However, I must say that I was wrong. The "dictionary" is actually by an author who is obviously familiar with the computing days of old - the definitions aren't idiotic new-age garbage, but rather words that most "hackers"/"computer nerds" will recognize - while the regular folk will not. The book doesn't discuss words like "click", "webpage" and any other "popular" computing terms - instead it's words like "foobar", "warez d00dz", "flipflop", etc...
If you're at all interested in classic computing culture, this book is something I feel every computer nerd should have (you fit the description if, among other things, you like monty python and your idea of the perfect evening is spending it at home programming, with occasional breaks to watch the X-Files).
If you're a soccermom, or a script/warez kiddie, this book is not for you. You probably won't understand it, and will certainly not appreciate it.
8 people found this helpful
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Daniel206
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2022
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This book is more then terms and descriptions. It's chalk full of hacker lore and history
One person found this helpful
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Primoz Peterlin
4.0 out of 5 stars Recursion (n.). See recursion.
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2000
Perhaps we should start by telling what this dictionary isn't. First, it has nothing to do with breaking into computer systems and similar illegal activities which any layman would usually associate with hackers. It teaches you that hacking is not the correct name for breaking into computers, though. Second, it is not a dictionary of IT terminology. You can probably do your IT job quite well without knowing what a foobar is. And third, it is not a dictionary of the current cyber slang. The main reason for this is probably the fact that Eric Raymond is well beyond his teenage years.
Altogether, I don't even think The New Hacker's Dictionary fits the category of a reference work. Instead I'd dare to call it literature in the form of a dictionary, much like the classical Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce, or The Meaning of Liff by Douglas Adams. Sure, many entries can be used as reference, although a lot of them actually refer to historic software and hardware items like ITS, PDP-10 or LISP machines. The New Hacker's Dictionary not the dry, encyclopedic style of dictionary - entries are written in an opinionated, juicy style. The humorous side of the dictionary - a work of a witty, creative hacker mind picking names for things - certainly vastly outweighs its practical side.
So is this book for you? Yes, if the legendary MIT AI lab hacker scene fascinates you. Although LISP machines are gone, it's perhaps still affecting your computing environment more than you think. For example: Linux, the free Unix clone, is built on top of the GNU project, which descends directly from the MIT AI lab hacker scene. And finally, is there any point in buying a printed book, if the complete text is available on Raymond's web site so you can read it on-line? I'd say it is. You see, it's not particularly convenient to take your computer into the bath tub.
6 people found this helpful
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William M
5.0 out of 5 stars Dated but still amusing and informative
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2015
Verified Purchase
Remember that "new" is a relative term. Relative to, say, the geologic time-frame, this is surely The NEW Hacker's Dictionary. However, relative to its subject matter - computer technology - it's "middle-aged" at best. Last updated in 1996, it predates most of the technology that is in use today, and as a result, the terminology defined here is more of historic interest. That's not to say it's uninteresting - there are some terms defined that are still current, and much of the out-dated material provides interesting back-story to present technology. Best of all, though, is the subtle humor that pervades the text.
2 people found this helpful
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Brad
3.0 out of 5 stars Please someone refresh this book for 2018!!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2018
Verified Purchase
I was a little disappointed because of how dated the terms and definitions are. It's a great book if you want to understand the language and history of developers in the 90's, but doesn't reflect the way developers (at least those who cut their teeth much later) speak in 2018.
One person found this helpful
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Emre Sevinc
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the few dictionaries that you can read from cover to cover...
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2010
Verified Purchase
This is indeed one of the few dictionaries that you can read from cover to cover and still have lots of fun. It shows its age but many terms are still in use today. The dictionary reflects the mindset, culture and a short history of the hacking. You can think of it as the perfect companion to Steven Levy's 'Hackers' book.
One person found this helpful
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XytheX
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2016
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Packed full of lost jargon and IT idioms. As the Information Technology field ages many newcomers don't know the history behind common slang. This book has them all. A must have in every grizzly old IT guys bench.
2 people found this helpful
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George Kovalev
5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining to read!
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2018
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Funny and entertaining! I like that words are cross-referenced so you can look up more funny definitions.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

cheesejalapeno
4.0 out of 5 stars Very nice jargon clearer.
Reviewed in Spain on July 2, 2015
Verified Purchase
It is a very nice computer hacking information container.
Probably if you are already deep in computer knowledge, you may know 70% percent of the book, but there are still a lot of new concepts worth knowing.

Nice
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Nuclear
4.0 out of 5 stars The author has an unhealthy fetish for UNIX and open ...
Reviewed in Canada on January 23, 2016
Verified Purchase
The author has an unhealthy fetish for UNIX and open source, but still provides a fascinating and silly nostalgia trip for computer nerds of all ages.
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