Literary notes about grok (AI summary)
The term "grok" is used to denote a deep, almost intuitive level of understanding that goes beyond mere surface comprehension. In some usages, it describes the process of gradually assimilating an idea or system over time, hinting at an extended state of zen-like insight [1]. It is also employed to imply that while something may not be immediately obvious, it can soon be fully grasped through closer examination [2]. In technical contexts, the word appears to indicate a practical, built-in understanding—such as a C compiler's handling of data types [3] or Wordpad's compatibility with UNIX files [4]—and is even used to characterize individuals who possess an expert grasp of complex systems [5]. Additionally, the term can appear in more playful contexts, as when it is used as a name [6] or to describe an instantly shared understanding among parties [7].
- Contrast {grok}, which connotes a time-extended version of zenning a system.
— from The Jargon File, Version 2.9.10, 01 Jul 1992 - Implies that the implementation is not intuitively obvious from the appearance, but the speaker is about to enable the listener to {grok} it.
— from The Jargon File, Version 2.9.10, 01 Jul 1992 - "Almost all C compilers grok the `void' type these days."
— from The Jargon File, Version 2.9.10, 01 Jul 1992 - Wordpad handles large documents reasonably well and will grok UNIX files (ie:
only, not ).
— from The Project Gutenberg FAQ 2002 by Jim Tinsley - A person who knows how a complex piece of software or hardware works (that is, who {grok}s it); esp.
— from The Jargon File, Version 2.9.10, 01 Jul 1992 - Miss Katie Grok is the teacher on the right.
— from Frying Pan Farm by Elizabeth Brown Pryor - All parties involved {grok}ked this instantly. See {moby}. :highly: [scientific computation] adv.
— from The Jargon File, Version 2.9.10, 01 Jul 1992
