Throw

/θroʊ/ verb

Definition

To deliberately generate and send an exception or error signal during program execution, typically when detecting an invalid condition. This interrupts normal program flow and passes control to exception handling code.

Etymology

From Old English 'thrawan' meaning to twist or turn. In programming, adopted in the 1980s to describe 'throwing' an exception up the call stack, like throwing a ball to someone who can catch it.

Kelly Says

Throwing an exception is like pulling a fire alarm - you're deliberately interrupting normal operations because you've detected something dangerous that needs immediate attention! It's a way for your code to shout 'STOP! Something's wrong here!'

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Phrases like 'throw like a girl' have been used to belittle women’s athletic abilities and reinforce gender stereotypes in sports and physical education. Such language has contributed to underestimating and under-supporting women and girls in athletics.

Inclusive Usage

Avoid gendered insults or comparisons about how someone throws. Use 'throw' neutrally for physical or metaphorical actions without tying competence to gender.

Inclusive Alternatives

["toss","pitch","hurl","launch"]

Empowerment Note

Women athletes and coaches have challenged stereotypes about throwing ability, demonstrating that differences are largely due to training and opportunity rather than inherent gender limitations.

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