from
Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)
neep-neep
/neep neep/, n.
[onomatopoeic, widely spread through SF fandom but reported to have
originated at Caltech in the 1970s] One who is fascinated by
computers. Less specific than {hacker}, as it need not imply more
skill than is required to play games on a PC. The derived noun neeping
applies specifically to the long conversations about computers that
tend to develop in the corners at most SF-convention parties (the term
neepery is also in wide use). Fandom has a related proverb to the
effect that "Hacking is a conversational black hole!".
from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
neep-neep
/neep neep/ [onomatopoeic, from New York SF fandom] One who is
fascinated by computers. Less specific than {hacker}, as it
need not imply more skill than is required to {boot} {games}
on a {personal computer}. The derived noun "neeping" applies
specifically to the long conversations about computers that
tend to develop in the corners at most SF-convention parties
(the term "neepery" is also in wide use). Fandom has a
related proverb to the effect that "Hacking is a
conversational black hole!".
[{Jargon File}]
(1994-11-29)