Re: on the fly

[Phillip Wilkerson <phillipw -at- ALLENSYSGROUP -dot- COM>]

Walker, Arlen P <Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- JCI -dot- COM> said:
> The reason the response varies is that it's *not* computer jargon. I
> believe it derives from the same source as "on the wing." It characterizes
> its target as something done in a hurry, probably improvised. The
> impression is one of continuous motion, of something done without delay.
>
> It was in use long before computers were built. Don't hyphenate it. As
> another poster noted, it's an informal usage, so you might not want to use
> it.

I guess "on the fly" would be termed a colloquialism (i.e., too informal for
technical writing); however, it has been used so much in the computer industry
that it is tantamount to computer jargon (i.e., too esoteric for technical
writing). In either case, Arlen is right: better to use common words to
communicate the idea.

Phil

Phillip C. Wilkerson
Technical Communications Manager
Allen Systems Group, Inc.
Naples, Florida
1-800-932-5536, ext. 2247
phillipw -at- allensysgroup -dot- com
http://www.allensysgroup.com
http://www.asg.net/docweb/index.htm


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