Pasting

/ˈpeɪstɪŋ/ noun

Definition

The act of gluing or sticking something to a surface using a sticky substance, or a beating or scolding.

Etymology

From 'paste,' which comes from Old French 'paste' and Latin 'pasta' meaning dough or pulp. The meaning expanded from joining things with adhesive to also mean a harsh defeat or criticism.

Kelly Says

Your email program's 'paste' function uses the same word root as medieval bookbinders who would glue pages together—computer vocabulary kept the metaphor alive 800 years later!

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