chad
/chad/ (Or "selvage" /sel'v▫j/ (sewing and
weaving), "{perf}", "perfory", "snaf"). 1. The perforated
edge strips on paper for {sprocket feed} printers, after they
have been separated from the printed portion.
The term {perf} may also refer to the perforations themselves,
rather than the chad they produce when torn.
[ Why "snaf"?]
2. (Or "chaff", "computer confetti", "keypunch droppings") The
confetti-like bits punched out of {punched cards} or {paper
tape} which collected in the {chad box}.
One correspondent believes "chad" derives from the {Chadless
keypunch}.
[{Jargon File}]
(1997-07-18)