[hikermike]

Where did the term "beta" come from? What's the matter with "info".

[Ski]

beta 1. The second letter in the Greek alphabet, written B, transliterated in English as B. (see alphabet) 2. The second item in a series or system of classification. 3. Physics a. A Beta particle b. A beta ray. [Greek bēta, from Hebrew bēth, BETH.] (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language © 1969) so... in common usage in the current era, it all depends upon what sort of vague, cryptic, and/or nonsensical definition you can find on "urbandictionary" or any number of other websites, any of which may or may not be applicable for your intended use. short answer: more internet nonsense-speak for those lacking command of the English language. (see also "troll", "sock-puppet".)

[Conrad]

I know, right? It grates on me as a neo/fad word. I dread the day I accidentally start using it.

[cefire]

[Bedivere]

Words don't bother me as long as we all agree on what they mean. I too have wondered how it came to mean "info." I wonder if it has anything to do with the second-hand nature of said info.

[GeoTom]

The internet is always right.

[gb]

"beta" reminds me too much of young, hot, but not nearly as hot as they think they are, rock jocks. Dude...

[Bedivere]

[OwenT]

Cool. I always figured it was because you were asking someone who'd already been there done that. So if they were "alpha" you'd be "beta", because you're after them, or something like that.

[puzzlr]

Great link. I hope it's it not an urban myth.

[touron]

I am not a climber or software tester, but I always thought it came from the test world, a test done prior to product launch, so it was considered real world. Hence data from someone who'd been there. "Does anyone have beta on Lake Melakwa?" "Yes, I was just there. Bring your mosquito repellant. Also, on your way back, watch carefully for forks in trail so that you end up at our car, and not at Lake Tuscohatchie."

[Chief Joseph]

There used to be a grocery store chain named Alpha-Beta...what does that mean, Optimum Info?

[David¹]

[ScottP]

The term has origins in climbing, particularly, sport climbing. It is a term connected to the sharing of detailed information about the intricacies of bouldery moves over the length of a pitch, or section, on a sport route. It has been in use since the mid 1980's, hence it is not a 'neo/fad' word, except maybe to you. See cefire's post above...

[treeswarper]

Spelled differently, but pronounced the same. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siamese_fighting_fish I'd like the Siamese Fighting Fish on ________.