Word of the Day
: October 17, 2009glitch
playWhat It Means
1 a : a usually minor malfunction; also : an unexpected defect, fault, flaw, or imperfection
b : a minor problem that causes a temporary setback : snag
2 : a false or spurious electronic signal
glitch in Context
The festival had an excellent lineup of performers, and the few glitches with the sound system did not seriously detract from the overall quality of the entertainment.
Did You Know?
There's a glitch in the etymology of "glitch" -- the origins of the word are not known for sure, though it may derive from the Yiddish "glitsh," meaning "slippery place." The first documented use of "glitch" in print in English is found in astronaut John Glenn's 1962 book Into Orbit. In it he wrote, "Literally, a glitch is a spike or change in voltage in an electrical circuit which takes place when the circuit suddenly has a new load put on it." Today, you don't have to be an astronaut to be familiar with the word "glitch," which can be used of any minor malfunction or snag.
