- A minor, often temporary, malfunction or error, especially in software, hardware, or a system.
Explanation
Origin
- The exact origin is debated, but it likely entered English via Yiddish (glitsh, meaning 'a slip' or 'slippery place').
- It gained popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly within the fields of radio, television, and aerospace (astronaut John Glenn used it in 1962), to describe minor technical problems.
- It implies something unexpected and usually small, not a total system failure.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Gremlin (older term, personifying the fault)
- Wobble / Wobbly (UK, suggests instability)
- Snafu (Acronym: Situation Normal: All Fucked/Fouled Up implies a more chaotic, mismanaged error)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Fuck-up / Foul-up (implies a more serious error, possibly human-caused)
- Shit the bed (UK/Aus, implies a complete failure, often sudden)
Milder/Technical:
- Anomaly
- Irregularity
- Fault
Situational Appropriateness
- Widely appropriate in informal and semi-formal contexts, especially when discussing technology or systems.
- Generally understood in professional settings, but for formal reports, malfunction or error might be preferred.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Non-native speakers might confuse it with a major system failure. Emphasize that it's typically minor and temporary.
- It's distinct from a software bug, which implies an error in the code itself, though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in casual conversation.
Examples
- There was a slight glitch in the matrix. (Referencing the movie)
- My computer had a glitch and restarted itself.
- We experienced a sound glitch during the live broadcast.
Dialogue
Sarah: Why did the presentation software just freeze?
Mark: Hmm, looks like a glitch. Let me quickly restart it.
Sarah: Okay, hope it doesn't happen again.
Social Media Examples
- Anyone else's app having a weird login glitch this morning? #techsupport #fail
- Recorded a video, but there's a strange audio glitch halfway through. Ugh.
- Just experienced a reality glitch. Swear I just saw the same cat walk past twice... #matrix
Response Patterns
- Oh, that's annoying.
- Did you figure out what caused it?
- Yeah, those happen sometimes.
- Try restarting it.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After identifying a glitch:
- People might ask: Is it fixed now?, Does it happen often?, What did you do about it?.
- Actions often involve troubleshooting: restarting the device, checking connections, looking for software updates.
Conversation Starter
- No. Usually used to describe or explain a problem that has occurred.
Intonation
- Usually spoken with a level tone, perhaps slight emphasis on Glitch.
- If expressing frustration, the tone might be sharper. GLITCH.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood by most generations, especially those familiar with technology.
Regional Variations
- Commonly used across major English-speaking regions (US, UK, Canada, Australia, etc.).