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snafu - 5 dictionary results

sna⋅fu

  [sna-foo, snaf-oo] noun, adjective, verb, -fued, -fu⋅ing.
Use snafu in a Sentence
–noun
1. a badly confused or ridiculously muddled situation.
–adjective
2. in disorder; out of control; chaotic.
–verb (used with object)
3. to throw into disorder; muddle.
Origin:
1940–45; s(ituation) n(ormal): a(ll) f(ucked) u(p); sometimes euphemistically construed as f(ouled) u(p)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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sna·fu   (snā-fōō')   
n.   pl. sna·fus
A chaotic or confused situation.
adj.  In a state of confusion or chaos.
tr.v.   sna·fued, sna·fu·ing, sna·fus
To make confused or chaotic.

[s(ituation) n(ormal) a(ll) f(ucked) u(p).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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SNAFU

principle /sna'foo prin'si-pl/ n. [from a WWII Army acronym for `Situation Normal, All Fucked Up'] "True communication is possible only between equals, because inferiors are more consistently rewarded for telling their superiors pleasant lies than for telling the truth." -- a central tenet of Discordianism, often invoked by hackers to explain why authoritarian hierarchies screw up so reliably and systematically. The effect of the SNAFU principle is a progressive disconnection of decision-makers from reality. This lightly adapted version of a fable dating back to the early 1960s illustrates the phenomenon perfectly:

In the beginning was the plan, and then the specification; And the plan was without form, and the specification was void. And darkness was on the faces of the implementors thereof; And they spake unto their leader, saying: "It is a crock of shit, and smells as of a sewer." And the leader took pity on them, and spoke to the project leader: "It is a crock of excrement, and none may abide the odor thereof." And the project leader spake unto his section head, saying: "It is a container of excrement, and it is very strong, such that none may abide it." The section head then hurried to his department manager, and informed him thus: "It is a vessel of fertilizer, and none may abide its strength." The department manager carried these words to his general manager, and spoke unto him saying: "It containeth that which aideth the growth of plants, and it is very strong." And so it was that the general manager rejoiced and delivered the good news unto the Vice President. "It promoteth growth, and it is very powerful." The Vice President rushed to the President's side, and joyously exclaimed: "This powerful new software product will promote the growth of the company!" And the President looked upon the product, and saw that it was very good.

After the subsequent and inevitable disaster, the suits protect themselves by saying "I was misinformed!", and the implementors are demoted or fired. Compare Conway's Law.
Jargon File 4.2.0
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snafu 
1941, U.S. military slang, acronym for situation normal, all fucked up, "conveying the common soldier's laconic acceptance of the disorder of war and the ineptitude of his superiors." ["Oxford English Dictionary," which seldom fails to delight]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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snafu
  1. situation normal all fouled up
  2. situation normal all fucked up
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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