Clue-by-four

1 definition found

From Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001) [jargon]:

  clue-by-four [Usenet: portmanteau, clue + two-by-four] The notional
     stick with which one whacks an aggressively clueless person. This term
     derives from a western American folk saying about training a mule
     "First, you got to hit him with a two-by-four. That's to get his
     attention." The clue-by-four is a close relative of the {LART}. Syn.
     `clue stick'. This metaphor is commonly elaborated; your editor once


     heard a hacker say "I smite you with the great sword Cluebringer!"