Shim

/ʃɪm/ noun

Definition

A thin wedge or spacer, usually made of wood or metal, used to fill gaps or level something; a temporary fix.

Etymology

Origin uncertain, possibly from 'chine' or related to 'shine.' The word has been used in carpentry and engineering since the 1700s.

Kelly Says

Shims are the secret weapon of carpenters and engineers—a tiny piece that fixes big problems. In fact, the concept has become a metaphor in computer science for temporary code fixes, showing how an ancient tool inspired modern terminology.

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