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Added 9 October 2026

glitch

/ˈɡlɪt͡ʃ/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about glitch at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A fault or defect in a computer program, system, or machine.

Origin

Probably borrowed from Yiddish גליטש (glitsh), from German glitschig (“slippy”), from glitschen (“to slide, glide, slip”) + -ig (“-y”). Related to gleiten (“glide”). Cognate with French glisser (“to slip, slide, skid”). Popularized in the 1960s, by the US space program. Attested in 1962 by American astronaut John Glenn, in reference to spikes in electrical current.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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