TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Intentionally left blank From:Paul Strasser <paul -dot- strasser -at- WINDSOR-TECH -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 27 May 1999 09:40:53 -0500
The first time I encountered the "intentionally left blank" phrase was late
at night in a retail store, where I was learning to program some big, ugly
IBM box. I came upon that phrase and burst out laughing. The boss came
over and asked me what was up, and I showed him the page with the phrase.
He said -- okay, it was left blank. Why is that funny? I pointed out that
it wasn't blank -- there were those words on it.
He still didn't get it. Sigh.... my refined, sleep-deprived sense of humor
was lost on him.
There must be a term for this type of phrase. Perhaps 'self-canceling, like
"this sentence contains six words."
Paul Strasser
Westminster, CO
>As far as I know, this phrase originated at IBM when they were first
>beginning to work with electronic manuals. It was a check on the
equipment.
>
>
>I was working on contract there at the time. The manuals were developed,
>checked, and sent out without removing the Blank blurb. I suppose it
spread
>from there to the IBM sycophants and thence into general usage. I will not
>put it in anything with my name on it. :-)
