from
Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)
computer confetti
n.
Syn. {chad}. [obs.] Though this term was common at one time, this use
of punched-card chad is not a good idea, as the pieces are stiff and
have sharp corners that could injure the eyes. GLS reports that he
once attended a wedding at MIT during which he and a few other guests
enthusiastically threw chad instead of rice. The groom later grumbled
that he and his bride had spent most of the evening trying to get the
stuff out of their hair.
[2001 update: this term has passed out of use for two reasons; (1) the
stuff it describes is now quite rare, and (2) the term {chad}, which
was half-forgotten in 1990, has enjoyed a revival. --ESR]
from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
computer confetti
<jargon> (Or "{chad}") A common term for {punched-card}
{chad}, which, however, does not make good confetti, as the
pieces are stiff and have sharp corners that could injure the
eyes.
{GLS} reports that he once attended a wedding at {MIT} during
which he and a few other guests enthusiastically threw chad
instead of rice. The groom later grumbled that he and his
bride had spent most of the evening trying to get the stuff
out of their hair.
[{Jargon File}]
(2001-06-22)