RFC 3092 (rfc3092) - Page 1 of 14

Etymology of "Foo"

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Network Working Group                                    D. Eastlake 3rd
Request for Comments: 3092                                      Motorola
Category: Informational                                        C. Manros
                                                                   Xerox
                                                              E. Raymond
                                                  Open Source Initiative
                                                            1 April 2001


                           Etymology of "Foo"

Status of this Memo

   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It does
   not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of this
   memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2001).  All Rights Reserved.

Abstract

   Approximately 212 RFCs so far, starting with RFC 269, contain the
   terms `foo', `bar', or `foobar' as metasyntactic variables without
   any proper explanation or definition.  This document rectifies that
   deficiency.

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction............................................1
   2. Definition and Etymology................................2
   3. Acronyms................................................5
   Appendix...................................................7
   Security Considerations...................................11
   References................................................12
   Authors' Addresses........................................13
   Full Copyright Statement..................................14

1. Introduction

   Approximately 212 RFCs, or about 7% of RFCs issued so far, starting
   with [RFC 269], contain the terms `foo', `bar', or `foobar' used as a
   metasyntactic variable without any proper explanation or definition.
   This may seem trivial, but a number of newcomers, especially if
   English is not their native language, have had problems in
   understanding the origin of those terms.  This document rectifies
   that deficiency.



Eastlake, et al.             Informational
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