RE: Off topic: Divided by a common language

Apologies for the somewhat-off topic post, but I couldn't resist.

"Boilerplate" is a newspaper printing reference for material written once
and supplied to other (usually smaller weekly)newspapers in matrix or plate
form.

"Copybook" - I have seen the term used in COBOL and CICS documentation, so I
assume it is a COBOL term.  (I guess three syllables is easier than the five
of "slash copy member" or the four of "copy member")

"Shop" - A nice, one syllable term.  From the Oxford English Dictionary
(OED) - 3 a A building or room set apart and fitted up for the carrying on
of some particular kind of handiwork or mechanical industry; a workshop. Now
often, a building or room in a factory, appropriated to some particular
department or stage of the work carried on there. the shops: the workshops
of a factory, as distinguished from the counting-house, offices, etc.

or, more likely

4 a colloq. or slang. A place of business; the place where one's ordinary
occupation is carried on. Also used jocularly for `place'. the Shop (Army
slang): the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; also (Austral. slang), the
University of Melbourne.

Gary R. Patterson
-----Original Message-----

[SNIP]

1) What's a boilerplate?  I understand from the context, but where does
the term come from, and why?
2) Why do you call /COPY members "copy books"?
3) Why do you call DP departments and/or software houses "shops"?  Over
here a shop is a kind of building where you can buy things -- you know,
big plate-glass windows, tills, all that?  I think you call them stores,
though.

Cheers,

Martin.

--
Martin McCallion
Midas-Kapiti International
Work:  mccallim@midas-kapiti.com
Home: martin.mccallion@ukonline.co.uk

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