h
[from SF fandom] A method of `marking' common words, i.e.,
calling attention to the fact that they are being used in a
nonstandard, ironic, or humorous way. Originated in the fannish
catchphrase "Bheer is the One True Ghod!" from decades ago.
H-infix marking of `Ghod' and other words spread into the 1960s
counterculture via underground comix, and into early hackerdom
either from the counterculture or from SF fandom (the three
overlapped heavily at the time). More recently, the h infix has
become an expected feature of benchmark names (Dhrystone,
Rhealstone, etc.); this is probably patterning on the original
Whetstone (the name of a laboratory) but influenced by the
fannish/counterculture h infix.
Node:ha ha only serious,
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ha ha only serious
[from SF fandom, orig. as mutation of HHOK, `Ha Ha Only
Kidding'] A phrase (often seen abbreviated as HHOS) that aptly
captures the flavor of much hacker discourse. Applied especially
to parodies, absurdities, and ironic jokes that are both intended
and perceived to contain a possibly disquieting amount of truth,
or truths that are constructed on in-joke and self-parody. This
lexicon contains many examples of ha-ha-only-serious in both form
and content. Indeed, the entirety of hacker culture is often
perceived as ha-ha-only-serious by hackers themselves; to take it
either too lightly or too seriously marks a person as an
outsider, a wannabee, or in larval stage. For further
enlightenment on this subject, consult any Zen master. See also
hacker humor, and AI koans.