Fail Slower: The Dangers of Punting Too Early

http://codercofounder.wordpress.com/2010/06/29/fail-slower/

by ibagrak • 16 years ago

10 15 16 years ago

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RiderOfGiraffes4• 16 years ago

Would someone care to explain what "punt" means in this context? It's a word that turns up reasonably often ...

http://searchyc.com/punt

... but I really don't have a clue what it means. Is it some kind of sporting metaphor?

Thanks.

ibagrak2• 16 years ago

It means to give up. To punt on something is to set it aside or to give up on it. At least that the definition I was going for. :)

ErrantX2• 16 years ago

In the UK to "have a punt" can mean to take a risk on something.

RiderOfGiraffes4• 16 years ago

Interesting.

In Australian Rules Football, and to a lesser extent in Rubgy and Gaelic football, a "punt" is a kick which is most commonly used in an attacking manner.

As a verb, "Punt" can also mean:

+ A kick of a football

+ A method of propelling a boat with a pole

+ To place a bet, usually at long odds, or a risky one

As a noun it can be:

+ The former unit of money in Ireland

+ An open flat-bottomed boat (usually propelled with a pole)

+ The dent in the bottom of a wine bottle

Your usage matches that I've seen here before, but is not one with which I'm familiar. I wonder if it's preculiarly and specifically North American. In particular, though, it's the exact opposite of other meanings in other parts of the world.

SMrF2• 16 years ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_(football)

An American football team will punt when it fails to reach a first down. There are four downs to try to go ten yards, if you don't make it after three downs you usually punt. It's a strategic decision; if you fail to make ten yards after four downs the other team gets the ball where you left it. But if you punt, you can push the team further back, which means they have further to go to score a touchdown.

RiderOfGiraffes4• 16 years ago

Odd that it seems to have become synonymous with "Giving up" ...

RiderOfGiraffes4• 16 years ago

Summarising:

In the USA it means to postpone, give up on (possibly temporarily) or to make someone else's problem or responsibility.

In other parts of the world it can mean to press on with, perhaps against the odds, or to take an aggressive/assertive course of action.

Might I suggest that people should be aware when using the term that it might be taken to mean the opposite of what you think?

ibagrak2• 16 years ago

Sorry for all the confusion, and thanks for setting the record straight.

Fail Slower: The Dangers of Punting Too Early

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