computer confetti

n. Syn. chad. [obs.] Though this term was common at one time, this use of
punched-card chad is not a good idea, as the pieces are stiff and have sharp
corners that could injure the eyes. GLS reports that he once attended a
wedding at MIT during which he and a few other guests enthusiastically threw
chad instead of rice. The groom later grumbled that he and his bride had
spent most of the evening trying to get the stuff out of their hair. [2001
update: this term has passed out of use for two reasons; (1) the stuff it
describes is now quite rare, and (2) the term chad , which was
half-forgotten in 1990, has enjoyed a revival.

