Bugged Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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bugged
[bสษกd ]
Definitions
technical issue
The term 'bugged' refers to a situation where a software or device is not functioning correctly due to a flaw or error. This term is commonly used in the context of computer programming and technology, indicating that a program has errors that can cause unexpected behavior.
Synonyms
flawed, glitched, malfunctioning.
Examples of usage
- The game was bugged, causing it to crash frequently.
- There are bugged features in this app that need urgent fixing.
- My computer is bugged after the latest update.
surveillance
To 'bug' someone means to secretly place listening devices in their environment to monitor their conversations. This usage often pertains to espionage or surveillance activities.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The agents bugged the suspect's office.
- They were caught bugging the meeting room.
- She realized her phone had been bugged.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Pop Culture
- The term is often associated with spy films and novels, like James Bond, where stealthy communication is common.
- In the TV show 'The Office', the word is humorously used when characters try to explain their overly secretive workplace.
- Various artists in music and film have alluded to themes of privacy invasion, making 'bugged' a relevant cultural reference.
Technology
- Modern technology has made bugging easier, with devices the size of a pin potentially recording conversations.
- Many smartphones have inherent vulnerabilities that can make them susceptible to being 'bugged' by sophisticated software.
- Security measures have evolved to counteract bugging, leading to the development of anti-bugging technologies.
Psychology
- Feeling 'bugged' often relates to anxiety about surveillance and trust, affecting interpersonal relationships.
- Paranoia can be a psychological response to the fear of being constantly watched or listened to.
- In therapy, discussing feelings of being 'bugged' can reveal underlying issues about control and privacy in oneโs life.
History
- During the Cold War, both the United States and Soviet Union extensively bugged each other's embassies for intelligence.
- The Watergate scandal involved the bugging of the Democratic National Committee headquarters, leading to a major political crisis.
- Famous figures like Martin Luther King Jr. were bugged by the FBI, highlighting government overreach into personal lives.
Origin of 'bugged'
Main points about word origin
- The term 'bug', referring to a listening device, comes from the old word for insects, suggesting something hidden and troublesome.
- The phrase 'bugged' gained popularity in the 1950s due to espionage activities during the Cold War.
- Originally, 'bug' was used in computer science to describe a flaw or glitch, reflecting the idea of something small causing a problem.
The word 'bug' in relation to computer programming is believed to have originated from a real insect. In the 1940s, the pioneering computer engineer Grace Hopper discovered a moth causing malfunctions in the Mark II computer. She famously taped the moth in her logbook, coining the term 'debugging' for fixing computer problems. This incident popularized the use of 'bug' as a term for software errors. The usage of 'bugged' in terms of surveillance relates to the early 20th century when physical devices were covertly placed by security or intelligence operatives to overhear conversations. The overlapping of these meanings in technology and surveillance has kept 'bugged' in popular vernacular for both contexts.