HACK: an etymology

Stephanie Gavan
Nov 4 · 5 min read

Type ‘hack’ into Google and its first suggestion is ‘hack my life’, which I learn is a weekly American how-to series. IMDB informs me that, ‘TV personality Kevin Pereira and comic Brooke Van Poppelen explore the world of “life hacks”: procedures or actions that solve problems, simplify tasks or reduce frustrations.’ Returning to the search bar I scan the prompted suggestions for the term ‘Life hacks’. Life hacks for kids, for girls or for architects…

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Stephanie Gavan

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Freelance writer based in London. RCA Writing MA 19–21. I write about contemporary art, culture, women and politics. Enquiries: stephaniegavan@gmail.com

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