This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
A phrase believed to have originated at IBM to overcome the fact that some users were so clinically stupid that they really did think that blank page in the manual was the one which contained the answer to their query, only some vagary of the printing process resulted in its not being reproduced. Except for the page header and footer, obviously, and the page number, and the lines at the top and bottom. And the logo. And the chapter header. Oh, and the previous page finished halfway down.
The result was that some bright spark came up with the idea of inserting the text "This Page Intentionally Left Blank" on the empty, though manifestly un-blank, page.
To fully appreciate the absurdity of this, compare the following:Wrong:
Page 15.18 Issue 3.1, 1.26.64 |
Page 15.18 Issue 3.1, 1.26.64 |
This is number 3 on the list of things I wish I had thought of (and patented, obviously, otherwise Microsoft would have claimed to have invented them, and charged me for the privilege of using them), right after the Wheel and Fire.
It is also the second most useful phrase on Earth, after "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch"
