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I was surprised to see it - I thought "boffin" was good-natured but highly irreverent, like "nerd". But I can't imagine any publication writing the headline, "C
by happytoexplain 4mo ago
I was surprised to see it - I thought "boffin" was good-natured but highly irreverent, like "nerd". But I can't imagine any publication writing the headline, "Computer nerd claims Microsoft's supposed quantum leap does not compute."
- SAI_Peregrinus 4mo agoThe Register is highly irreverent, as a rule.
- cpncrunch 4mo agoIt's typical of the Register. They always use the word "boffin" for expert/scientist. It's a british word used to describe a clever person.
- MobiusHorizons 4mo agoRoughly interchangeable with egg head I think, although more used and slightly more endearing.
- KineticLensman 4mo agoUsed in WW2 to refer to radar engineers, bouncing bomb designers etc
- wiml 4mo ago"Good natured but highly irreverent" is pretty much The Register's house style.
- gh02t 4mo agoTo be fair, "boffin" usually implies someone has relevant (usually scientific) expertise, but nerd doesn't. Henry Legg has the relevant credentials to give weight to his claims, he's not just some random basement nerd.