Floobydust

[Speedskater]

The word "floobydust" recently was used in another thread. But the word has a very different meaning than it would first appear:

In the 1976 National Semiconductor - Audio Handbook the word “Floobydust” is defined as:

“Floobydust” is a contemporary term derived from the archaic Latin miscellaneus, whose
disputed history probably springs from Greek origins (influenced, of course, by Egyptian
linguists) - meaning here “a mixed bag.”

Later in 1991 Bob Pease (RIP)(Staff Scientist at National Semiconductor) defined the word in his
Book “Troubleshooting Analog Circuits” as:

“Floobydust” is an old expression around our lab that means potpourri, catch-all, or miscellaneous. In this chapter, I’ll throw into the “Floobydust” category a collection of philosophical items, such as advice about planning your troubleshooting, and practical hints about computers and instruments.

Bob Pease (RIP) sometimes used the word in his columns in Electronic Design Magazine.

 

[ReUpRo]

I image a succinct contemporary interpretation would be, "yadda yadda yadda".

Can you please link the original post that caused the need for this thread...

 

[Adam]

Can you please link the original post that caused the need for this thread...

Here it is.

 

[markw]

Technically true but in this hobby it's been used many, many times over the years to connote something that might be considered pure subjective puffery that depends on the gullibility of their potential customer base to make a sale

That it's been co-oped from it's initial meaning to it's current meaning of essentially "Bullsh!t" in this hobby is not unlike some brand names have become synonmous with a generalized product in general, like Xerox or Coka, brands name, has been co-oped to represent copies and cola sodas in general.

Here's another postulation as to that words origin and it's doubtful it's got it's roots in any latin word.