Boat anchor

In amateur radio and computing, boat anchor is a slang term used to describe something obsolete, useless, and cumbersome - so-called because metaphorically its only productive use is to be thrown into the water as a boat mooring.

Computers

Hardware

Early computers were physically large and heavy devices. As computers became more compact, the term "boat anchor" became popular among users to signify that the earlier, larger computer gear was obsolete, and no longer useful. [ [http://www.computer-dictionary-online.org/boat%20anchor.htm?q=boat%20anchor boat anchor @ Computer-Dictionary-Online.org ] ] It also may refer to a large piece of hardware, regardless of age, which has become unusable due to physical or electronic damage.

oftware

The term "boat anchor" is also used in software development to refer to an unused piece of code [ [http://www.netlingo.com/lookup.cfm?term=boat%20anchor boat anchor - NetLingo The Internet Dictionary: Online Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms, Acronyms, Text Messaging, Smileys ;-) ] ] that is left in a system's code base, typically for the reason "In case we need it later". and to place them in a separate location so that they can be referred to if necessary, but will not be compiled or be mistaken as "working" code.

Amateur radio

of the term.

:*Version I: During World War II, military radio technicians used the term "boat anchor" as they struggled with the very large, heavy, electronic equipment of the day; full of transformers, vacuum tubes, etc. Also, the US Navy frequently marked electronic gear with an anchor. After the war, much of the surplus equipment appeared on the market and kept the name "boat anchor" due to the previous reasons.

:*Version II: After WWII, a national magazine editor was asked what to do with the outdated, heavy, large, surplus electronic equipment. He supposedly answered, "Tie a line to it and use it as a boat anchor."

:*Version III: A letter to the editor of "CQ Radio Amateur Magazine" appeared on page 16 of the October 1956 issue and was as follows: "Gentlemen: I recently acquired a Signal Corps Wireless Set No. 19 MK II Transceiver. Are there schematics or conversion data for this rig? Any info will be appreciated. --David J. Wilke W3LSG Pottstown, Pennsylvania." The editor replied: "The only conversion we seem to have on the files here at CQ calls for 100 feet of 1 inch Manila line, one end of which is to be tied securely around the MK II Transceiver. This then converts the unit into a fine anchor for a small boat. If any readers have better conversions we will be glad to hear about them. --Ed."

However, it wasn't until later when smaller, lighter gear became popular enough and the older gear was outdated enough that there was reason to categorize the older, heavier electronics as "boat anchors". [ [http://www.ac6v.com/73.htm#ba ORIGINS OF HAMSPEAK, CQ, 73, DX, etc ] ]

ee also

*Anti-pattern
*Vintage amateur radio

References

External links

* [http://www.ac6v.com/73.htm#ba Origin of Ham Speak]
* [http://bama.sbc.edu/ BoatAnchor Manual Archive]