The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Various
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page 23 of 1403 (01%)
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Node:The -P convention, Next:[91]Overgeneralization, Previous:[92]Soundalike Slang, Up:[93]Jargon Construction The `-P' convention Turning a word into a question by appending the syllable `P'; from the LISP convention of appending the letter `P' to denote a predicate (a boolean-valued function). The question should expect a yes/no answer, though it needn't. (See [94]T and [95]NIL.) At dinnertime: Q: ``Foodp?'' A: ``Yeah, I'm pretty hungry.'' or ``T!'' At any time: Q: ``State-of-the-world-P?'' A: (Straight) ``I'm about to go home.'' A: (Humorous) ``Yes, the world has a state.'' On the phone to Florida: Q: ``State-p Florida?'' |
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