with the strength of a Dyson

[blueeye]

Well, it was most interesting, and above all instructive! :-D Thank you all!

 

[BobK]

I know 'FUBAR' only from the internet. I don't see it used regularly in British people's writing, even on the internet.

...

It's used in the world of computer programming, hidden in a spelling that hides the derivation. When, in a small/trivial/test program, there are two variables, they are traditionally 'foo' and 'bar'.

British programmers may have acquired the habit from the US, but it's not seen as 'American'. Some pedantic British programmers who object violently to 'American spellings, for example, are happy to use 'foo' and 'bar'.

b