The word slot dates from the late 14c., when it referred to a hollow in the throat, above the breastbone. Its origin is unclear, but it is derived from Old French esclot, which is also an Old Norse word. The word slot has its present meaning from at least 1520, and slot machine is first recorded in 1888. Read on to learn more about the meaning and history of this word, and find out how it is used today.
Origin
There are many theories about the history of slot machines, but the truth is much murkier. According to gambling historian David G. Schwartz, the first slot machine was invented in the United States in the late eighteenth century. These machines had a similar structure to video poker games, including five spinning drums and fifty playing cards, but there was no way to withdraw the winnings. The original slot machines were played in bars, and were only capable of dispensing prizes after players placed a coin. In addition to the payout, the machines had a loud buzzer to alert players to a win.
Meaning
A slot is a long, narrow hole, especially for fitting coins or things. In British English, a slot is also called a fruit machine. These machines operate by a lever, button, or touchscreen. When the person inserts money into the machine, the reels will begin to spin and stop, hopefully resulting in a win. But what does the word slot really mean? What are some common uses of slot? Let’s find out!
Application
A new application has been launched for Android users that will help them book slots. Known as the Slot Booking App, this application will improve the overall planning process and will also help in reducing the waiting time during peak periods. This application is the first step towards digitization. The following are some benefits of this app:
Common uses
The term slot has several common uses in English. For example, the x16 slot is most commonly used for high-bandwidth cards, such as graphics cards. However, it is also useful for smaller cards, such as x8 slots which contain half the PCIe lanes and are usually used for graphics cards. The x4 slot, on the other hand, has four lanes and is more commonly used for single M.2 NVMe SSD expansion cards, SATA 3 expansion cards, and raid controllers. The following examples illustrate these uses in context:
Meaning in Wiktionary
What is the meaning of Slot? The noun slot has a grammatical function and fits any morpheme sequence. Examples include job opening and assignment. For instance, the chief copy editor occupies a slot in a newspaper’s copy desk. Another example is the slot at an airport, which is authorized by the air traffic authority. The slot can also refer to a job position in a company.