hack
Breach a system
In modern use, the commonest meaning of hack, noun and verb, has to do with invasive access to computer data: They hacked the email account and forwarded the contents to WikiLeaks.
This meaning arose from the earlier core meaning of hack, to chop or cut crudely, as with a hatchet or machete.
If someone is hacking without computers or sharp instruments, they are coughing loudly.
A person referred to as a hack is being disparaged as a poor writer who turns out words for money.
A life hack is a clever shortcut for an ordinary task.
Improvise temporary repair
- kludgeAwkward but functional solution
- workaroundMakeshift bypass of difficulty
- duct tapeStrong cloth-backed adhesive strip
- baling wireWire for bundling hay
cobble together · quick fix · bodge · patch · improvise · MacGyver · stopgap · lash-up
Awkward but functional solution
- workaroundMakeshift bypass of difficulty
- scriptWritten words for performance
- snippetSmall cut portion
- one-linerBrief standalone joke
patch · debugging · refactor · spaghetti code · shortcut · quick-and-dirty · regex · automation
Notable act or abuse
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- breachBreaking of agreement
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
- malwareHarmful computer programs
phishing · ransomware · firewall · encryption · backdoor · spyware · botnet · rootkit
Quicker alternative path
- tipEnd or gratuity
- trickDeliberate deception
- workaroundMakeshift bypass of difficulty
- productivityOutput relative to input
efficiency · time-saver · cheat · optimization · DIY · simplify · streamline
Inexperienced newcomer
- raptorHunting bird with talons
- releaseTo let go
- manningSupplying workers for
- falconerRaptor trainer and hunter
mews · training · free flight · imprint
News profession practitioner
- tabloidSensationalist newspaper format
- ghostwriterUncredited hired author
- pulpSoft wet mass
- potboilerWork made for money
freelancer · deadline · copy · byline · sensationalism · yellow journalism · formulaic
Throat clearing without mucus
- persistent coughLasting respiratory irritation symptom
- raspyRough and grating
- wheezeWhistling labored breath
- bronchitisInflamed airway disease
tickle · phlegm · chest cold · irritation · spasm · coughing fit · hoarse · respiratory
Identifying uniform or colors
- carriage horseEquine pulling wheeled conveyances
- hackneyCarriage horse breed
- rideJourney atop something
- nagPester repeatedly
workhorse · stable · harness · trot · riding school · trail ride
jury-rig
Improvise temporary repair
- kludgeAwkward but functional solution
- workaroundMakeshift bypass of difficulty
- duct tapeStrong cloth-backed adhesive strip
baling wire · cobble together · quick fix · bodge · patch · improvise · MacGyver · stopgap · lash-up · temporary fix
kludge
Awkward but functional solution
- workaroundMakeshift bypass of difficulty
- scriptWritten words for performance
- snippetSmall cut portion
one-liner · patch · debugging · refactor · spaghetti code · shortcut · quick-and-dirty · regex · automation · API
machete
Heavy broad-bladed knife
chop · axe · blade · swing · cut · gash · notch · rough cut · timber · underbrush
exploit
Notable act or abuse
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- breachBreaking of agreement
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
malware · phishing · ransomware · firewall · encryption · backdoor · spyware · botnet · rootkit · zero-day
shortcut
Quicker alternative path
- tipEnd or gratuity
- trickDeliberate deception
- workaroundMakeshift bypass of difficulty
productivity · efficiency · time-saver · cheat · optimization · DIY · simplify · streamline
fledgling
Inexperienced newcomer
falconer · mews · training · free flight · imprint
journalist
News profession practitioner
- tabloidSensationalist newspaper format
- ghostwriterUncredited hired author
- pulpSoft wet mass
potboiler · freelancer · deadline · copy · byline · sensationalism · yellow journalism · formulaic
dry cough
Throat clearing without mucus
- persistent coughLasting respiratory irritation symptom
- raspyRough and grating
- wheezeWhistling labored breath
bronchitis · tickle · phlegm · chest cold · irritation · spasm · coughing fit · hoarse · respiratory
livery
Identifying uniform or colors
- carriage horseEquine pulling wheeled conveyances
- hackneyCarriage horse breed
- rideJourney atop something
nag · workhorse · stable · harness · trot · riding school · trail ride
- cuttingslicing, slice, chopping, dice, dicing
- Resourcefulnessresourcefulness, ingenuity, cleverness, inventiveness, problem-solving
- tech problemsbug, paper jam, low ink, dropped calls, bugs
- tech slangnoob, AFK, pwned, IRL, leet
- hackslifehack, shortcut, trick, workaround, quick fix
- Quick Fixesduct tape fix, band-aid, superglue, duct tape, safety pin
hackoriginal
First or inventive
innovator · fresh · novel · innovative · trailblazing
hackbest practice
Accepted superior method
by-the-book · established practice · systematic approach · due process
- life hacksClever productivity shortcuts
- hack jobShoddy, rushed work
- hack offCut off roughly
- hack itManage to succeed
- hack awayPersist at difficult task
- hacking coughHarsh, dry respiratory spasm
hacker, hacking, hacks, hacked, hackers, hacktivist, hacktivism, hackwork, unhacked