There seem to be several stories regarding the origin of the word
bits as it relates to computers. We all agree that 8 bits make up a
byte but what about the word itself? I was taught that it was a
contraction for "binary digits".
However, this "8" thing has been around a lot longer than computers have.
Pirates would steal Spanish Doubloons or "pieces of eight". Stock markets
value stocks in 8ths of a dollar (12.5 cents).
I believe the English monetary system is based on 8 (never could understand
how they work that pounds-pence-ha'penny stuff).
And as for the U.S. dollar: A quarter is "two bits" (2 times 12.5 cents
), a half dollar is "four bits", "six bits" is seventy five cents and eight bits is a dollar.
Programming can be done in Octal, which is base 8. The legendary songster Tom Lehrer says
that base 8 is the same as base 10 ..... if you're missing two fingers.
(From his song "New Math", check it out with Amazon music)
So, the origin of "bits" turns out to be pretty obscure. I don't know what it is but I'm pretty sure it isn't a contraction of binary digits. If you have any other examples of this "8" thingy, Email me (below)and I'll incorpor8 them into this rather rambling discourse.