kludge

or kluge

[ klooj ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Computer Slang.

a software or hardware configuration that, while inelegant, inefficient, clumsy, or patched together, succeeds in solving a specific problem or performing a particular task.

Origin of kludge¹

First recorded in 1960–65; expressive coinage

Proof of work was a clever kludge—it wasn’t perfect, but it worked well enough.

The sous vide required a vacuum sealer (you can kludge it with plastic bags and a straw, but I am not that dedicated).

Kludge did not arise by accident, and it will take something more than mere disapproval to reduce and replace it.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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