control-S vi. "Stop talking for a second." From the ASCII DC3 or XOFF character (the pronunciation /X-of/ is therefore also used). Control-S differs from {control-O} in that the person is asked to stop talking (perhaps because you are on the phone) but will be allowed to continue when you're ready to listen to him -- as opposed to control-O, which has more of the meaning of "Shut up." Considered silly.
control-S XOFF <character> (Or XOFF, DC3, {Device Control} 3) The character with {ASCII} code 19, used in {software handshaking} to temporarily suspend output until a {control-Q} is received. [{Jargon File}] (1996-06-28)