May 15, 2003

hex

n.

1. Short for hexadecimal, base 16.

2. A 6-pack of anything (compare quad, sense 2). Neither usage has anything to do with magic or black art, though the pun is appreciated and occasionally used by hackers. True story: As a joke, some hackers once offered some surplus ICs for sale to be worn as protective amulets against hostile magic. The chips were, of course, hex inverters.

Posted by Jargon File at May 15, 2003 10:43 AM

Comments
Post a comment









Remember personal info?