What Is A Ping?

And what does it mean?

In the 1980s, ‘ping’ was the electronic equivalent of someone pinching you on the arm — are you awake? These days, I use ‘Ping’ for, ‘Received, will read later,’ in reply to a friend who sends inordinately long texts. Turns out it has another meaning.

Yesterday, two texts arrived. One, a lengthy political diatribe from my friend; the other from FreshStartForHens:

HeNmergency! Hens needing homes. Reply if you have room.

We have room, but our flock is big enough. Replied, ‘Ping’ to the former and didn’t reply to the latter.

Thought no more about it until today. Email from FreshStartForHens, with thanks and arrangements for collecting the new hens.

What!?

I’d pinged the wrong text.

Beware ‘Ping’. In reference to hens it means ‘Yes, we’ll have ten.’

We collect them Saturday.