this post was submitted on 04 Jan 2026
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Not really relevant to the subject, but I think the word "dongle" is absolutely gimmicky.
I remember it as far back as the 90's. Usually referred to things like SCSI dongles that authorized the use of expensive software like Maya (which was ~$50k at the time), because online DRM activation wasn't really a thing yet. Probably goes back further than that.
The 80s, I think, thanks to AutoDesk. AutoCAD required their DB9 serial dongle (in-line with the mouse) for the software to function.
As you say, well before DRM was the default for everything. I thought they were an awful company for it, but little did I know how things would pan out due to the DMCA... 😒
Lol, tell me about it.
And the serial dongle sounds much more sensible than requiring what amounted to a SCSI terminator, of which you could typically only have one. Need to use other software with a SCSI dongle? Shut down your machine, swap them out, and start it up again, 'cause SCSI don't like that hot swapping.
I'd forgotten about that. How dumb. 🤦🏻♂️
It is absolutely not gimmicky.
I dunno, sounds gimmicky to me, like some weird slang term.
Perhaps it is an ESL thing? We were using it in the States in the 90's to describe a hardware authenticator key on parallel port that allowed CAD software to run, in a drafting class.
Later (00's) i heard it used for all manner of peripheral USB accessories.
I'm trying to imagine what the gimmick would be.
The word "dongle" itself. The actual hardware is serious business, I'm not disputing that.
Well, English isn't a prescriptive language, so if we just start saying "dongus" they'll put it in the dictionary.
Anyone got a recommendation for a good bluetooth dongus?
It's basically just a synonym for any adapter cable, but usually more specifically, ones that have a short cable so they dangle from the port if they don't have anything plugged in.