clue-by-four

1 definition found

clue-by-four - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  clue-by-four
  
  
     [Usenet: portmanteau, clue + two-by-four] The notional stick with
     which one whacks an aggressively clueless person. This term derives
     from a western American folk saying about training a mule "First, you
     got to hit him with a two-by-four. That's to get his attention." The
     clue-by-four is a close relative of the LART. Syn. clue stick. This
     metaphor is commonly elaborated; your editor once heard a hacker say
     "I smite you with the great sword Cluebringer!"