grok
To have a thorough understanding of a subject. The word comes from Robert Heinlein's "Stranger in a Strange Land," and it means "to drink" in Martian. Of course. But more specifically in the book, it meant to take something in so thoroughly that it becomes part of you. |
| Grokking the GIMP |
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| The GIMP is a sophisticated paint and image editing program in the Unix environment (see GIMP). This book, "Grokking the GIMP" by Carey Bunks is a title that means "Completely Understand the GIMP." (Image courtesy of New Riders Publishing, www.newriders.com) |
| grok - /grok/, /grohk/ (From the novel "Stranger in a Strange Land",
by Robert A. Heinlein, where it is a Martian word meaning
literally "to drink" and metaphorically "to be one with") 1. To understand, usually in a global sense. Connotes intimate and exhaustive knowledge. Contrast zen, which is similar supernal understanding experienced as a single brief flash. See also glark. 2. Used of programs, may connote merely sufficient understanding. "Almost all C compilers grok the "void" type these days." |
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