Discussions 

In a discussion at work, a tech was trying to interpret which slash I was talking about when I said “whack.”  Some people don’t have any problems discerning “slash” (/) and “back slash” (\), however, when I start saying stuff like, “Type in whack whack servername into the run box.”, people sometimes look at me funny – ok, a different type of funny.

Discussions 

In a discussion at work, a tech was trying to interpret which slash I was talking about when I said “whack.”  Some people don’t have any problems discerning “slash” (/) and “back slash” (\), however, when I start saying stuff like, “Type in whack whack servername into the run box.”, people sometimes look at me funny – ok, a different type of funny.

From this confusion, an interesting discussion arose: what is whack versus slash (and how can you remember which is which).  From my experience in computing, the slash is described simply as “slash” or as “the slash on the question mark key.”  Conversely, backslash has been called “whack” for as long as I can recall.  Indeed, even Wikipedia has problems nailing down the specifics of whack:

            From the Definition of Whack(5): A slang term for the Backslash symbol.

But also:

From article on Backslash: In colloquial speech, it is sometimes called a whack (however that term is considered to be properly a synonym only for the forward slash).

Eh… can’t say that I really agree with that second part but I suppose everyone's entitled to their opinions....

Next the discussion then turned towards the “old skoolness” of the participants.  It seemed that I and another “old timer” from the DOS/UNIX days were of the same mind that “whack” referred to backslash, whereas the other two participants (need I say less-geeky but definitely not techno-n00bies) were thinking that the whack defined the forward-slash.  Gahh!

I suppose (as much as it does pain me to say it) the safest description would be the best after all…. 

/ = forward slash

\ = backslash

! = bang  (hee hee)

Remembering which is which

My personal favourite way to remember the two (and yes, I need the reminder) is to look at my arm at a 45-degree angle with my hands pointing up (face height). 

If I’m trying to remember the whack… er.. backslash, I think that it’s old-skool DOS.  Since DOS was a “conservative” OS (at least compared to the GUI-infested crap out there today), then I would use my RIGHT arm (conservative = right).

On the other hand, the forward-slash is used mainly for the Internet (such as http://) and since the Internet is very "liberal," use the left arm (liberal = left... and it rhymes).

Ok, political incorrectness aside, it works for me – and perhaps it can work for you.  If not, don't loose any sleep... because the backspace key is very clearly labeled.