lost in the underflow

lost in the underflow
 adj.

   Too small to be worth considering; more specifically, small beyond the
   limits of accuracy or measurement. This is a reference to floating
   underflow, a condition that can occur when a floating-point arithmetic
   processor tries to handle quantities smaller than its limit of
   magnitude. It is also a pun on `undertow' (a kind of fast, cold
   current that sometimes runs just offshore and can be dangerous to
   swimmers). "Well, sure, photon pressure from the stadium lights alters
   the path of a thrown baseball, but that effect gets lost in the
   underflow." Compare {epsilon}, {epsilon squared}; see also {overflow
   bit}.
    

lost in the underflow

   <jargon> Too small to be worth considering; more specifically,
   small beyond the limits of accuracy or measurement.  This is a
   reference to "{floating point underflow}".

   The {Hacker's Jargon File} claimed that it is also a pun on
   "undertow" (a kind of fast, cold current that sometimes runs
   just offshore and can be dangerous to swimmers).

   "Well, sure, photon pressure from the stadium lights alters
   the path of a thrown baseball, but that effect gets lost in
   the underflow".

   Compare {epsilon}, {epsilon squared}; see also {overflow bit}.

   (1997-09-05)