Weekly Knowledge Gains

1. End of Message or EOM signifies the end of a message, often an email. The subject of an e-mail may contain such an acronym to signify that all content is in the subject line so that the message itself does not need to be opened (e.g., "No classes Monday (EOM)").

• EOM = End of Message
• NRN = No Reply Necessary
• RP = Reply Requested

2. In telecommunications and software engineering, scalability is a desirable property of a system, a network, or a process, which indicates its ability to either handle growing amounts of work in a graceful manner or to be readily enlarged.

3. The term Internet meme (pronounced /mi:m/) is a phrase used to describe a catchphrase or concept that spreads quickly from person to person via the Internet.

4. sucker punch, rabbit punch = an unexpected punch or blow.

5. 瞠目结舌(chēng mù jié shé) = 瞪着眼睛说不出话来 = to stare dumb-founded.

6. Astroturfing(草根营销) is a term for formal public relations campaigns in politics and advertising that seek to create the impression of being spontaneous, grassroots behaviour. Hence the reference to AstroTurf (artificial grass) is a metaphor to indicate fake grassroots support.

7. 铤而走险(tǐng ér zǒu xiǎn) = to up the ante, to risk danger in desperation; to make a reckless move; to be forced to break the law.

8. 窘困(jiǒng) = very poor; hard up; hard pressed.

Posted via email from Dennis & Zoe