- Today's Word
Kludge
[klooj]
Definition
- (noun) An awkward or clumsy solution to a problem, often in a quick or makeshift manner. It typically refers to a temporary fix or workaround that is inelegant but functional, especially in computing or engineering contexts.
Example
The software developer created a kludge to patch the security flaw, knowing it wasn’t an ideal solution but would buy them time to develop a more permanent fix.
Fun Fact
The term “kludge” is believed to have originated in the 1940s as a variant of the German word “klug,” meaning “clever.” It was popularized in the tech world by Jackson W. Granholm in a 1962 article titled “How to Design a Kludge.” Interestingly, the spelling “kluge” is sometimes used, particularly in engineering circles, leading to ongoing debates about the ‘correct’ spelling. Despite its negative connotations, kludges are often necessary in real-world problem-solving, where perfect solutions aren’t always possible or practical.
(adjective) Only partly formed or developed; not yet fully worked out or organized into a coherent whole.
The business plan was still inchoate — more a collection of instincts and half-formed ambitions than anything a bank would recognize as a proposal.