Pinging: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The term originated from sonar technology, where 'ping' refers to the sound waves sent out and echoed back.
• The word became popular in computing in the 1980s when it was used to describe the message system in network diagnostics.

Technology

• Ping tests measure the response time and quality of communication between devices on a network.
• A lower ping time typically indicates a faster and more reliable network connection, essential for online gaming and streaming.

Communication

• In a more modern context, 'pinging' can also refer to sending quick reminders or messages to check in with someone.
• The term has been adopted in social media lingo, where people might 'ping' friends to draw their attention to a post or event.

Cultural References

• The term 'ping' has appeared in various movies and TV shows, often representing instant communication or urgency.
• It has also inspired numerous memes, often humorously referencing slow responses or the stress of online connectivity.

Psychology

• Pinging can be related to our desire for instant feedback in communications, reflecting a cultural shift towards immediacy.
• This behavior ties into social interactions, emphasizing how technology influences our expectations of responses from others.

Ranking #36,440, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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• 36437 slathered
• 36438 solemnizing
• 36439 mullein
• 36440 pinging
• 36441 rumba
• 36442 polymath
• 36443 irritatingly
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