hairballs
Grooming's gross aftermath
Hairballs are clumps of hair that accumulate in an animal's digestive tract, typically from grooming.
Cats are especially prone to them, periodically vomiting up matted wads of fur.
Figuratively, a hairball is any tangled mess or knotty problem: The codebase was a hairball of spaghetti logic.
Animal body hair
- lickingTongue contact repeatedly
- regurgitationEjecting swallowed material
- gaggingReflex throat constriction
- retchingHeaving without expelling
heaving · coughing · hackles · matting · shedding · ingestion · vomit · expulsion
Heaving without expelling
- gaggingReflex throat constriction
- coughingForceful air expulsion reflex
- heavingMoving up and down
- chokingBlocked airway condition
vomiting · nausea · abdominal pain · wheezing · hacking · dry heave · distress · discomfort
Something blocking the way
- regurgitationEjecting swallowed material
- vomitingExpelling stomach contents orally
- gaggingReflex throat constriction
- esophagusFood tube to stomach
stomach · intestinal blockage · indigestible · gastric · gastrointestinal · constipation · passage · impaction
Animal medical appointment
- endoscopyInternal organ examination
- laxativesConstipation remedies
- preventive careHealth maintenance before disease
- surgeryInvasive medical procedure
lubricant · petroleum jelly · prescription diet · X-ray · ultrasound · animal health · diagnosis · treatment
Sweeping motion with bristles
- groomingSelf-care for appearance
- detanglingRemoving knots from fibers
- desheddingExtracting loose animal hair
- lubricantFriction-reducing substance
Removing dirt by suction
- spot cleaningTreating individual stains
- paper towelDisposable absorbent cleaning sheet
- scrubbingCleaning by rubbing hard
- odor removalEliminating unpleasant scents
upholstery · mess · residue · stain removal · disinfecting · disposal · floor cleaning
fur
Animal body hair
- lickingTongue contact repeatedly
- regurgitationEjecting swallowed material
- gaggingReflex throat constriction
retching · heaving · coughing · hackles · matting · shedding · ingestion · vomit · expulsion · furball
retching
Heaving without expelling
choking · vomiting · nausea · abdominal pain · wheezing · hacking · dry heave · distress · discomfort · loss of appetite
obstruction
Something blocking the way
- regurgitationEjecting swallowed material
- vomitingExpelling stomach contents orally
- gaggingReflex throat constriction
esophagus · stomach · intestinal blockage · indigestible · gastric · gastrointestinal · constipation · passage · impaction · bile
vet visit
Animal medical appointment
- endoscopyInternal organ examination
- laxativesConstipation remedies
- preventive careHealth maintenance before disease
surgery · lubricant · petroleum jelly · prescription diet · X-ray · ultrasound · animal health · diagnosis · treatment · examination
brushing
Sweeping motion with bristles
- groomingSelf-care for appearance
- detanglingRemoving knots from fibers
- desheddingExtracting loose animal hair
vacuuming
Removing dirt by suction
- spot cleaningTreating individual stains
- paper towelDisposable absorbent cleaning sheet
- scrubbingCleaning by rubbing hard
odor removal · upholstery · mess · residue · stain removal · disinfecting · disposal · floor cleaning
- pet healthvet visit, checkup, checkups, vaccinations, rabies vaccination
- pet digestiongastroenteritis, diarrhea, vomiting, colitis, enteritis
- catscat, kitten, kitty, feline, tabby
- cat anatomywhiskers, claws, tail, paws, ears
- grossvomit, pus, poop, boogers, snot
- pet problemsaggression, barking, biting, chewing, digging
hairballsclean code
Well-organized, maintainable programming
streamlined process · simplicity · elegance · clarity · modularity