1. A common spoken name for "!" (ASCII 33), especially when
used in pronouncing a
bang path in spoken hackish. In
spread of
Unix has carried "bang" with it (especially via
the term
bang path) and it is now certainly the most common
spoken name for "!". Note that it is used exclusively for
non-emphatic written "!"; one would not say "Congratulations
bang" (except possibly for humorous purposes), but if one
wanted to specify the exact characters "foo!" one would speak
"Eff oh oh bang".
2. An exclamation signifying roughly "I have achieved
enlightenment!", or "The dynamite has cleared out my brain!"
Often used to acknowledge that one has perpetrated a
thinkoimmediately after one has been called on it.
(1995-01-31)