TAN

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The Jargon File Parts of this article are based on the Jargon File, v. 4.4.7, a public domain document of hacker jargon.

TAN: abbrev. adj.

[Usenet, particularly rec.arts.sf.written.robert-jordan] Abbrev. of `tangent', as in "off on a tangent", and synonym for OT. A number of hacker-humor synonyms are used for TAN in some newsgroups. Instances such as BEIGE, OFF-WHITE, BROWNISH-GRAY, and LIGHT BROWN have been observed. It is generally understood on newsgroups with this convention that any color descriptor is a TAN synonym if (a) used as the first word(s) of the topic of a Usenet post, (b) written in ALL CAPS, and (c) followed immediately by a colon. Usage: "OFF-WHITE: 2000 Presidential candidates" on an SF newsgroup.

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