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glitch

GLICH /ɡlɪtʃ/

nounverbB2

informaltechnical

A minor, often temporary, technical problem or malfunction.

Implies a small, usually fixable, and often unexpected issue that causes a brief interruption or error, but not a complete system failure.

The story behind the word. The word 'glitch' is a relatively modern addition to English, first appearing in the 1940s and gaining popularity in the 1960s, particularly within the American space program. It's thought to come from the Yiddish word 'glitsh' (meaning 'a slip' or 'a skid'), which itself derives from the German 'glitschen' (to slide). So, when your computer 'glitches,' it's essentially taking a little slip or stumble!

Word relationships

hiccup: More informal, often implying a very brief and minor interruption.
snag: Can refer to any unexpected difficulty, not just technical.
bug: A 'bug' is a flaw in the code, while a 'glitch' is the observable symptom of a problem, which might or might not be a bug.

perfection: The state of being without any flaws or issues.
smooth operation: A system working flawlessly without any interruptions.

Commonly confused with

bug: A 'glitch' is a symptom (a brief error), while a 'bug' is the underlying cause (a flaw in the code). A bug can cause a glitch, but not all glitches are necessarily bugs (e.g., a temporary network issue).
malfunction: A 'glitch' is typically minor and transient. A 'malfunction' can be more serious and prolonged, indicating a failure to function properly.

Word family

glitchy (adjective): prone to glitches; unreliable due to minor errors

Collocations

minor glitch
technical glitch
software glitch
system glitch
fix a glitch
experience a glitch

Example sentences

"The new update introduced a small graphical glitch that made some icons appear blurry, but it was quickly patched." Describing a minor software issue.
"There was a slight audio glitch during the live stream, causing a momentary silence, but the broadcast resumed without further issue." Explaining a temporary hiccup in a live broadcast.
"Sometimes, when I jump, my character will glitch through the wall for a second before snapping back." A character in a video game experiencing a minor bug.

Memory hook

Imagine a 'GLITCH' is like a 'GLITCH' in the matrix, a brief, unexpected slip in reality. GLITCH = GLITCH in reality

When not to use

Do not use 'glitch' for severe, prolonged, or catastrophic system failures. It's too mild for a 'crash' or 'outage'.

Fun facts

The term 'glitch' was popularized by NASA engineers during the early space race to describe minor, unexpected technical issues in spacecraft.
Before its technical use, 'glitch' was a boxing term for a sudden, unexpected punch.