other · Various · Modern
Jargon File: a large quantity of anything, inspired by 'billions and billions'.
informalreference-only Converter
other · Various · Modern / historical
potrzebie
reference-only
- Record
- M413
- Definition quality
- Fictional-defined
- Conversion mode
- reference only
- Calculator
- Trivia/reference only
Definition
Potrzebie belongs to Donald Knuth's satirical Potrzebie System of Weights and Measures, first published in MAD magazine in 1957.
History & use
Knuth created the system as a parody of measurement systems; Stanford records it as his first publication.
Modern use
Cultural/computing-history curiosity, not a scientific or legal measurement standard.
Did you know?
Knuth later recalled that MAD paid him $25 for the piece.
Sources & evidence
Source tier Tier A · confidence High