ping:
[from the TCP/IP acronym `Packet INternet Groper', prob. originally contrived to match the submariners' term for a sonar pulse]
1. n. Slang term for a small network message (ICMP ECHO) sent by a computer to check for the presence and alertness of another (the UNIX command `ping(8)' can be used to do this manually). Occasionally used as a phone greeting. See {ACK}, also {ENQ}.
2. vt. To verify the presence of.
3. vt. To get the attention of.
4. vt. To send a message to all members of a {mailing list} requesting an {ACK} (in order to verify that everybody's addresses are reachable). "we haven't heard much of anything from geoff, but he did respond with an ack both times i pinged jargon-friends."
5. n. A quantum packet of happiness. People who are very happy tend to exude pings; furthermore, one can intentionally create pings and aim them at a needy party (e.g., a depressed person). This sense of ping may appear as an exclamation; "ping!" (I'm happy; I am emitting a quantum of happiness; I have been struck by a quantum of happiness). The form "pingfulness", which is used to describe people who exude pings, also occurs. (In the standard abuse of language, "pingfulness" can also be used as an exclamation, in which case it's a much stronger exclamation than just "ping"!). Oppose {blargh}.