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What is a word for a solution that is sufficient but not sophisticated?
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I heard this word a few weeks ago, and I've been trying to remember what it was. I've searched through Google and can't seem to find it. I'm sure that the word begins with 'H' and describes a process or solution that may not necessarily be optimized but also doesn't necessarily require it. I.E. crude
The word I am looking for describes a technique that is practical to reaching a short term goal. The context I heard this in related to machine learning and chat bots. For example, if a customer called an insurance company and had an accident, the bot would ask a simple set of questions to determine whether to route the caller to a low or high impact assessment.
single-word-requests
edited Aug 10 at 12:47
V2Blast
11916
asked Aug 8 at 14:10
DukeLuke
437111
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
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I heard this word a few weeks ago, and I've been trying to remember what it was. I've searched through Google and can't seem to find it. I'm sure that the word begins with 'H' and describes a process or solution that may not necessarily be optimized but also doesn't necessarily require it. I.E. crude
The word I am looking for describes a technique that is practical to reaching a short term goal. The context I heard this in related to machine learning and chat bots. For example, if a customer called an insurance company and had an accident, the bot would ask a simple set of questions to determine whether to route the caller to a low or high impact assessment.
single-word-requests
edited Aug 10 at 12:47
V2Blast
11916
asked Aug 8 at 14:10
DukeLuke
437111
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
1
There's 'hash', but that definitely has a negative connotation. Have you checked a thesaurus for synonyms of jury-rig, the answers provided by @vth, etc?
– John Feltz
Aug 8 at 14:28
6
@DukeLuke Welcome to EL&U, but please see the guidance on single-word-requests. The more context you can provide, the better. For example, what is an example of the situation you describe? The two words that immediately come to my mind are given by vth, but you dismiss them without explanation. As it stands, therefore, the question is not likely to be helpful to future visitors; it's a guessing game or the answer to a crossword.
– choster
Aug 8 at 14:30
1
@DukeLuke yes I had seen that, which is why I didn't answer, but commented instead. I just thought I would share my opinion that I feel 'sufficient' has connotations of being crude, and would probably suffice if you were unable to find the precise word you are looking for. Apologies if I frustrated you by not answering your exact question.
– Benjamin
Aug 8 at 19:46
2
@DukeLuke - Don't use your question to explain why you posted/accepted an answer. If you need to provide that sort of commentary, put it in a comment on the answer.
– AndyT
Aug 9 at 14:23
1
Even after edits, the question does not match your accepted answer.
– R..
Aug 11 at 1:01
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up vote
4
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up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I heard this word a few weeks ago, and I've been trying to remember what it was. I've searched through Google and can't seem to find it. I'm sure that the word begins with 'H' and describes a process or solution that may not necessarily be optimized but also doesn't necessarily require it. I.E. crude
The word I am looking for describes a technique that is practical to reaching a short term goal. The context I heard this in related to machine learning and chat bots. For example, if a customer called an insurance company and had an accident, the bot would ask a simple set of questions to determine whether to route the caller to a low or high impact assessment.
single-word-requests
edited Aug 10 at 12:47
V2Blast
11916
asked Aug 8 at 14:10
DukeLuke
437111
I heard this word a few weeks ago, and I've been trying to remember what it was. I've searched through Google and can't seem to find it. I'm sure that the word begins with 'H' and describes a process or solution that may not necessarily be optimized but also doesn't necessarily require it. I.E. crude
The word I am looking for describes a technique that is practical to reaching a short term goal. The context I heard this in related to machine learning and chat bots. For example, if a customer called an insurance company and had an accident, the bot would ask a simple set of questions to determine whether to route the caller to a low or high impact assessment.
single-word-requests
edited Aug 10 at 12:47
V2Blast
11916
asked Aug 8 at 14:10
DukeLuke
437111
edited Aug 10 at 12:47
V2Blast
11916
edited Aug 10 at 12:47
V2Blast
11916
edited Aug 10 at 12:47
V2Blast
11916
11916
asked Aug 8 at 14:10
DukeLuke
437111
asked Aug 8 at 14:10
DukeLuke
437111
asked Aug 8 at 14:10
DukeLuke
437111
437111
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
1
There's 'hash', but that definitely has a negative connotation. Have you checked a thesaurus for synonyms of jury-rig, the answers provided by @vth, etc?
– John Feltz
Aug 8 at 14:28
6
@DukeLuke Welcome to EL&U, but please see the guidance on single-word-requests. The more context you can provide, the better. For example, what is an example of the situation you describe? The two words that immediately come to my mind are given by vth, but you dismiss them without explanation. As it stands, therefore, the question is not likely to be helpful to future visitors; it's a guessing game or the answer to a crossword.
– choster
Aug 8 at 14:30
1
@DukeLuke yes I had seen that, which is why I didn't answer, but commented instead. I just thought I would share my opinion that I feel 'sufficient' has connotations of being crude, and would probably suffice if you were unable to find the precise word you are looking for. Apologies if I frustrated you by not answering your exact question.
– Benjamin
Aug 8 at 19:46
2
@DukeLuke - Don't use your question to explain why you posted/accepted an answer. If you need to provide that sort of commentary, put it in a comment on the answer.
– AndyT
Aug 9 at 14:23
1
Even after edits, the question does not match your accepted answer.
– R..
Aug 11 at 1:01
 |Â
show 5 more comments
1
There's 'hash', but that definitely has a negative connotation. Have you checked a thesaurus for synonyms of jury-rig, the answers provided by @vth, etc?
– John Feltz
Aug 8 at 14:28
6
@DukeLuke Welcome to EL&U, but please see the guidance on single-word-requests. The more context you can provide, the better. For example, what is an example of the situation you describe? The two words that immediately come to my mind are given by vth, but you dismiss them without explanation. As it stands, therefore, the question is not likely to be helpful to future visitors; it's a guessing game or the answer to a crossword.
– choster
Aug 8 at 14:30
1
@DukeLuke yes I had seen that, which is why I didn't answer, but commented instead. I just thought I would share my opinion that I feel 'sufficient' has connotations of being crude, and would probably suffice if you were unable to find the precise word you are looking for. Apologies if I frustrated you by not answering your exact question.
– Benjamin
Aug 8 at 19:46
2
@DukeLuke - Don't use your question to explain why you posted/accepted an answer. If you need to provide that sort of commentary, put it in a comment on the answer.
– AndyT
Aug 9 at 14:23
1
Even after edits, the question does not match your accepted answer.
– R..
Aug 11 at 1:01
1
1
There's 'hash', but that definitely has a negative connotation. Have you checked a thesaurus for synonyms of jury-rig, the answers provided by @vth, etc?
– John Feltz
Aug 8 at 14:28
There's 'hash', but that definitely has a negative connotation. Have you checked a thesaurus for synonyms of jury-rig, the answers provided by @vth, etc?
– John Feltz
Aug 8 at 14:28
6
6
@DukeLuke Welcome to EL&U, but please see the guidance on single-word-requests. The more context you can provide, the better. For example, what is an example of the situation you describe? The two words that immediately come to my mind are given by vth, but you dismiss them without explanation. As it stands, therefore, the question is not likely to be helpful to future visitors; it's a guessing game or the answer to a crossword.
– choster
Aug 8 at 14:30
@DukeLuke Welcome to EL&U, but please see the guidance on single-word-requests. The more context you can provide, the better. For example, what is an example of the situation you describe? The two words that immediately come to my mind are given by vth, but you dismiss them without explanation. As it stands, therefore, the question is not likely to be helpful to future visitors; it's a guessing game or the answer to a crossword.
– choster
Aug 8 at 14:30
1
1
@DukeLuke yes I had seen that, which is why I didn't answer, but commented instead. I just thought I would share my opinion that I feel 'sufficient' has connotations of being crude, and would probably suffice if you were unable to find the precise word you are looking for. Apologies if I frustrated you by not answering your exact question.
– Benjamin
Aug 8 at 19:46
@DukeLuke yes I had seen that, which is why I didn't answer, but commented instead. I just thought I would share my opinion that I feel 'sufficient' has connotations of being crude, and would probably suffice if you were unable to find the precise word you are looking for. Apologies if I frustrated you by not answering your exact question.
– Benjamin
Aug 8 at 19:46
2
2
@DukeLuke - Don't use your question to explain why you posted/accepted an answer. If you need to provide that sort of commentary, put it in a comment on the answer.
– AndyT
Aug 9 at 14:23
@DukeLuke - Don't use your question to explain why you posted/accepted an answer. If you need to provide that sort of commentary, put it in a comment on the answer.
– AndyT
Aug 9 at 14:23
1
1
Even after edits, the question does not match your accepted answer.
– R..
Aug 11 at 1:01
Even after edits, the question does not match your accepted answer.
– R..
Aug 11 at 1:01
 |Â
show 5 more comments
12 Answers
12
active
oldest
votes
up vote
39
down vote
Perhaps you are looking for a hack ?
2.1 A piece of computer code providing a quick or inelegant solution to a particular problem.
"this hack doesn't work on machines that have a firewall"
Life hack
: a usually simple and clever tip or technique for accomplishing some familiar task more easily and efficiently
"Life hacks," as they are known, are all about eliminating life's manifold frustrations in simple and deliciously clever ways. The best involve tricks that are free, efficient and stunningly obvious in retrospect, deploying household items (like the humble toilet roll) for purposes beyond their wildest aspirations. —Michael Koziol"
answered Aug 8 at 14:40
bookmanu
2,184420
4
Although this wasn't it, great answer! The word was heuristics
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 19:21
1
@DukeLuke, well I went with starts with an “H†:)
– bookmanu
Aug 8 at 19:28
add a comment |Â
up vote
23
down vote
bodge, as per Wikitionary:
Noun: A clumsy or inelegant job, usually a temporary repair; a patch, a repair.
A prime example of this word in use can be seen in this video by Tom Scott.
There's also the word kludge:
A kludge or kluge (/klʌdʒ, kluËÂdʒ/) is a workaround or quick-and-dirty
solution that is clumsy, inelegant, inefficient, difficult to extend
and hard to maintain.
answered Aug 8 at 14:17
VTH
1,252616
This is a great answer! Unfortunately it's not the word I'm looking for.
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 14:20
I've edited my post to add another word that could potentially be the answer.
– VTH
Aug 8 at 14:24
I think the key here is that the solution is sufficient and doesn't require further development and/or analysis, but could still be considered rudimentary
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 14:26
You could've just cited the title for the definition of kluge.
– Mazura
Aug 9 at 15:00
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22
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accepted
The answer sprung on me after a few hours.
Heuristic technique, or heuristics.
From Wikipedia:
A heuristic technique, often called simply a heuristic, is any approach to problem solving, learning, or discovery that employs a practical method, not guaranteed to be optimal, perfect, logical, or rational, but instead sufficient for reaching an immediate goal. Where finding an optimal solution is impossible or impractical, heuristic methods can be used to speed up the process of finding a satisfactory solution.
I understand that the original question wasn’t the exact definition of heuristic, but it is applicable to certain applications of it. For example, availability heuristics, where an individual bases a conclusion on recent events that come to mind.
I’ll use an example I found online. I live in Maine and am planning a trip to Florida during the cold winter months. I’m determining whether or not I want to fly and make my round trip fast and convenient or if I want to drive my car. I recall that last week I read there was a plane clash that killed 50 passengers, so I conclude it’s not safe to fly and I decide to drive.
The former example is both sufficient and unsophisticated. Driving to Florida from Maine will suffice for my trip, but my assumption that it’s safer isn’t sound. Data shows that in 2015 those in the U.S. who drove had a 1 in 114 chance of dying versus 1 in 9,821 for air travel.
edited Aug 10 at 12:33
V2Blast
11916
answered Aug 8 at 15:28
DukeLuke
437111
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Aug 12 at 12:26
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11
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I'm not sure this fits with your added example of use, but I would have said "a pragmatic solution".
Pragmatic:
practical as opposed to idealistic
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up vote
9
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In computing, that would be called a "naive solution" (or the naive solution). In another post, someone describes a naive algorithm as almost exactly what you are describing:
A Naive algorithm is usually the most obvious solution when one is asked a problem. It may not be a smart algorithm but will probably get the job done (...eventually.)
Notably, this phrase doesn't imply that the solution is bad. Just that there may be a more sophisticated solution.
answered Aug 9 at 5:29
piojo
1934
Don't knock it, in many cases the KISS principle would apply. There's often a lot to be said for Keep It Simple, Safe (or Stupid) if you're being less polite.
– BoldBen
Aug 9 at 10:18
1
@BoldBen KISS is "keeep it simple, stupid". Why? Because it has no connotation of safety. It CAN be the safer solution, but it also may not. (In programming, KISS would imply paying less attention to unlikely "edge cases", such as when the input data is much larger than what you are expecting.)
– piojo
Aug 10 at 2:08
1
I've always taken the "stupid" part to be directed at the person who has a tendency to over-complicate the solution leading to extra potential points of failure and difficulties with maintenance. Obviously a solution needs enough complexity to be reliable, effective and safe but the level of complexity needs to reflect the nature of the task and the environment. Maximum complexity is very rarely, if ever, optimal.
– BoldBen
Aug 10 at 15:05
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5
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Are you by any chance thinking of ad hoc? It seems to fit your definition of "practical to reaching a short term goal" fairly well.
Ad hoc:
for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application
answered Aug 9 at 11:32
Maxime Pia
512
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up vote
3
down vote
With the understanding that the desired term has already been found in "heuristic", I'll still venture another H-word for the Googlers out there :)
Honest effort - an effort which is "in good faith" or "showing fairness and sincerity; straightforward; free from deceit." However, while I cannot find any official definition of this, I feel in common usage it has a more complex meaning.
That meaning that I understand for it, is as an unsophisticated good-faith attempt which falls shy of perfection.
"while this first cake is an honest effort, the second cake wins the prize." - this doesn't imply that the first cake is a bad cake, it doesn't say it's a failure, it's just not a best-in-show cake. It's still a tasty, good-looking cake, though.
Quotes I've found include:
It was an honest effort, but the team ended up apologizing, sort of. [Wizards apologize if Black History Month tribute 'missed the mark']
-- Washington Post, Feb 3 2016
It was an honest effort, but a mistake nevertheless. His attempt to handle Rosecrans with gentleness backfired.
-- Halleck: Lincoln's Chief of Staff by Stephen E Ambrose, 1996
The exempt counties are reliably Republican outposts, so currying favour with constituents is a likelier explanation than outright racial animus. “It was an honest effort to recognise that across the state there are variations in the ability to get jobs.[...]"
-- The Economist, May 17 2018
His first mixtape, "The Purple Tape," surfaced in 2012, when he was 18. Looking back, he realizes its limitations. "I thought I was ready, but it was really immature," he says. "I was talking about cool stuff other teenagers were doing. It was very vain. It was an honest effort, and true to everything I was doing at 17, 18. But it's definitely night and day between then and now." -- Joey Purp, Chicago Tribune Aug 8 2018
We were begged not to punish the State of Idaho for a mistake, if it was a mistake, in regard to its own organization; for it is said they made an “honest effort†to comply with the law
-- Congressional Record, 1892
This usage seems to fit both with the "not optimal" current phrasing, and with the "not sophisticated" previous phrasing of this question, tough of course the meaning is far removed and more negative from that of heuristic.
Heuristic typically implies "industry standard rule of thumb"-type competence.
An honest effort instead implies "giving it your best shot and getting close", often with implications of failure-through-inexperience.
answered Aug 8 at 22:12
Dewi Morgan
1,353514
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"Heuristics" are actually a scientific process but match your description after the "EDIT". A "hack" has the implication of being something not intended in that manner. A "kludge" is something that just happens to work but may fall apart any time and/or looks seriously out of place.
For your description of the term before the first "EDIT", I'd use "expedient" instead. That describes a low-effort convenient solution that isn't actually out of place.
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Jugaad (Financial Times, Lexicon)
Jugaad means thinking in a frugal way and being flexible, which, in turn, requires the innovator or entrepreneur to adapt quickly to often unforeseen situations and uncertain circumstances in an intelligent way.
Intelligence in this context "isn’t about seeking sophistication or perfection by over-engineering products, but rather about developing a ‘good-enough’ solution that gets the job done".
Note the wording in the second para.
See also:
jugaad on ODO
Winging it (Cachero et al., BBC Culture)
And not to miss at all (seriously):
Images
answered Aug 9 at 11:33
Kris
31.6k539113
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0
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Another descriptive adjective would be haphazard (as in a haphazard solution) which MW defines as
marked by lack of plan, order, or direction
answered Aug 9 at 10:01
glissi
1374
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
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Heavy-handed
Clumsy
With the entry for clumsy:
1 a : lacking dexterity, nimbleness, or grace (clumsy fingers)
b : lacking tact or subtlety (a clumsy joke)
2 : awkward or inefficient in use or construction : unwieldy (a clumsy contraption)
answered Aug 9 at 13:21
Chuck
1314
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
I'm not sure what context to provide. OP asked, "I'm sure that the word begins with 'H' and describes a process or solution that may not necessarily be optimized." I provided the word/phrase "heavy-handed," and the (chained) definition, "awkward or inefficient in use or construction." I would think that OP's question provides the context, does it not? I'm also an infrequent visitor of the site, so my apologies if I've missed something. Please help me understand.
– Chuck
Aug 14 at 13:47
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Almost every other answer to this question assumes lack of sophistication in a solution to be a negative trait. Therefore, I will offer an alternative:
Elegant (Oxford English Dictionary):
- Graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.
‘she will look elegant in black’
‘an elegant, comfortable house’
- (of a scientific theory or solution to a problem) pleasingly ingenious and simple.
‘the grand unified theory is compact and elegant in mathematical terms’
answered Aug 9 at 12:03
Ian Young
1011
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12 Answers
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12 Answers
12
active
oldest
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active
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active
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up vote
39
down vote
Perhaps you are looking for a hack ?
2.1 A piece of computer code providing a quick or inelegant solution to a particular problem.
"this hack doesn't work on machines that have a firewall"
Life hack
: a usually simple and clever tip or technique for accomplishing some familiar task more easily and efficiently
"Life hacks," as they are known, are all about eliminating life's manifold frustrations in simple and deliciously clever ways. The best involve tricks that are free, efficient and stunningly obvious in retrospect, deploying household items (like the humble toilet roll) for purposes beyond their wildest aspirations. —Michael Koziol"
answered Aug 8 at 14:40
bookmanu
2,184420
4
Although this wasn't it, great answer! The word was heuristics
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 19:21
1
@DukeLuke, well I went with starts with an “H†:)
– bookmanu
Aug 8 at 19:28
add a comment |Â
up vote
39
down vote
Perhaps you are looking for a hack ?
2.1 A piece of computer code providing a quick or inelegant solution to a particular problem.
"this hack doesn't work on machines that have a firewall"
Life hack
: a usually simple and clever tip or technique for accomplishing some familiar task more easily and efficiently
"Life hacks," as they are known, are all about eliminating life's manifold frustrations in simple and deliciously clever ways. The best involve tricks that are free, efficient and stunningly obvious in retrospect, deploying household items (like the humble toilet roll) for purposes beyond their wildest aspirations. —Michael Koziol"
answered Aug 8 at 14:40
bookmanu
2,184420
4
Although this wasn't it, great answer! The word was heuristics
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 19:21
1
@DukeLuke, well I went with starts with an “H†:)
– bookmanu
Aug 8 at 19:28
add a comment |Â
up vote
39
down vote
up vote
39
down vote
Perhaps you are looking for a hack ?
2.1 A piece of computer code providing a quick or inelegant solution to a particular problem.
"this hack doesn't work on machines that have a firewall"
Life hack
: a usually simple and clever tip or technique for accomplishing some familiar task more easily and efficiently
"Life hacks," as they are known, are all about eliminating life's manifold frustrations in simple and deliciously clever ways. The best involve tricks that are free, efficient and stunningly obvious in retrospect, deploying household items (like the humble toilet roll) for purposes beyond their wildest aspirations. —Michael Koziol"
answered Aug 8 at 14:40
bookmanu
2,184420
Perhaps you are looking for a hack ?
2.1 A piece of computer code providing a quick or inelegant solution to a particular problem.
"this hack doesn't work on machines that have a firewall"
Life hack
: a usually simple and clever tip or technique for accomplishing some familiar task more easily and efficiently
"Life hacks," as they are known, are all about eliminating life's manifold frustrations in simple and deliciously clever ways. The best involve tricks that are free, efficient and stunningly obvious in retrospect, deploying household items (like the humble toilet roll) for purposes beyond their wildest aspirations. —Michael Koziol"
answered Aug 8 at 14:40
bookmanu
2,184420
edited Aug 8 at 17:25
answered Aug 8 at 14:40
bookmanu
2,184420
answered Aug 8 at 14:40
bookmanu
2,184420
answered Aug 8 at 14:40
bookmanu
2,184420
2,184420
4
Although this wasn't it, great answer! The word was heuristics
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 19:21
1
@DukeLuke, well I went with starts with an “H†:)
– bookmanu
Aug 8 at 19:28
add a comment |Â
4
Although this wasn't it, great answer! The word was heuristics
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 19:21
1
@DukeLuke, well I went with starts with an “H†:)
– bookmanu
Aug 8 at 19:28
4
4
Although this wasn't it, great answer! The word was heuristics
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 19:21
Although this wasn't it, great answer! The word was heuristics
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 19:21
1
1
@DukeLuke, well I went with starts with an “H†:)
– bookmanu
Aug 8 at 19:28
@DukeLuke, well I went with starts with an “H†:)
– bookmanu
Aug 8 at 19:28
add a comment |Â
up vote
23
down vote
bodge, as per Wikitionary:
Noun: A clumsy or inelegant job, usually a temporary repair; a patch, a repair.
A prime example of this word in use can be seen in this video by Tom Scott.
There's also the word kludge:
A kludge or kluge (/klʌdʒ, kluËÂdʒ/) is a workaround or quick-and-dirty
solution that is clumsy, inelegant, inefficient, difficult to extend
and hard to maintain.
answered Aug 8 at 14:17
VTH
1,252616
This is a great answer! Unfortunately it's not the word I'm looking for.
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 14:20
I've edited my post to add another word that could potentially be the answer.
– VTH
Aug 8 at 14:24
I think the key here is that the solution is sufficient and doesn't require further development and/or analysis, but could still be considered rudimentary
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 14:26
You could've just cited the title for the definition of kluge.
– Mazura
Aug 9 at 15:00
add a comment |Â
up vote
23
down vote
bodge, as per Wikitionary:
Noun: A clumsy or inelegant job, usually a temporary repair; a patch, a repair.
A prime example of this word in use can be seen in this video by Tom Scott.
There's also the word kludge:
A kludge or kluge (/klʌdʒ, kluËÂdʒ/) is a workaround or quick-and-dirty
solution that is clumsy, inelegant, inefficient, difficult to extend
and hard to maintain.
answered Aug 8 at 14:17
VTH
1,252616
This is a great answer! Unfortunately it's not the word I'm looking for.
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 14:20
I've edited my post to add another word that could potentially be the answer.
– VTH
Aug 8 at 14:24
I think the key here is that the solution is sufficient and doesn't require further development and/or analysis, but could still be considered rudimentary
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 14:26
You could've just cited the title for the definition of kluge.
– Mazura
Aug 9 at 15:00
add a comment |Â
up vote
23
down vote
up vote
23
down vote
bodge, as per Wikitionary:
Noun: A clumsy or inelegant job, usually a temporary repair; a patch, a repair.
A prime example of this word in use can be seen in this video by Tom Scott.
There's also the word kludge:
A kludge or kluge (/klʌdʒ, kluËÂdʒ/) is a workaround or quick-and-dirty
solution that is clumsy, inelegant, inefficient, difficult to extend
and hard to maintain.
answered Aug 8 at 14:17
VTH
1,252616
bodge, as per Wikitionary:
Noun: A clumsy or inelegant job, usually a temporary repair; a patch, a repair.
A prime example of this word in use can be seen in this video by Tom Scott.
There's also the word kludge:
A kludge or kluge (/klʌdʒ, kluËÂdʒ/) is a workaround or quick-and-dirty
solution that is clumsy, inelegant, inefficient, difficult to extend
and hard to maintain.
answered Aug 8 at 14:17
VTH
1,252616
edited Aug 8 at 14:23
answered Aug 8 at 14:17
VTH
1,252616
answered Aug 8 at 14:17
VTH
1,252616
answered Aug 8 at 14:17
VTH
1,252616
1,252616
This is a great answer! Unfortunately it's not the word I'm looking for.
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 14:20
I've edited my post to add another word that could potentially be the answer.
– VTH
Aug 8 at 14:24
I think the key here is that the solution is sufficient and doesn't require further development and/or analysis, but could still be considered rudimentary
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 14:26
You could've just cited the title for the definition of kluge.
– Mazura
Aug 9 at 15:00
add a comment |Â
This is a great answer! Unfortunately it's not the word I'm looking for.
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 14:20
I've edited my post to add another word that could potentially be the answer.
– VTH
Aug 8 at 14:24
I think the key here is that the solution is sufficient and doesn't require further development and/or analysis, but could still be considered rudimentary
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 14:26
You could've just cited the title for the definition of kluge.
– Mazura
Aug 9 at 15:00
This is a great answer! Unfortunately it's not the word I'm looking for.
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 14:20
This is a great answer! Unfortunately it's not the word I'm looking for.
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 14:20
I've edited my post to add another word that could potentially be the answer.
– VTH
Aug 8 at 14:24
I've edited my post to add another word that could potentially be the answer.
– VTH
Aug 8 at 14:24
I think the key here is that the solution is sufficient and doesn't require further development and/or analysis, but could still be considered rudimentary
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 14:26
I think the key here is that the solution is sufficient and doesn't require further development and/or analysis, but could still be considered rudimentary
– DukeLuke
Aug 8 at 14:26
You could've just cited the title for the definition of kluge.
– Mazura
Aug 9 at 15:00
You could've just cited the title for the definition of kluge.
– Mazura
Aug 9 at 15:00
add a comment |Â
up vote
22
down vote
accepted
The answer sprung on me after a few hours.
Heuristic technique, or heuristics.
From Wikipedia:
A heuristic technique, often called simply a heuristic, is any approach to problem solving, learning, or discovery that employs a practical method, not guaranteed to be optimal, perfect, logical, or rational, but instead sufficient for reaching an immediate goal. Where finding an optimal solution is impossible or impractical, heuristic methods can be used to speed up the process of finding a satisfactory solution.
I understand that the original question wasn’t the exact definition of heuristic, but it is applicable to certain applications of it. For example, availability heuristics, where an individual bases a conclusion on recent events that come to mind.
I’ll use an example I found online. I live in Maine and am planning a trip to Florida during the cold winter months. I’m determining whether or not I want to fly and make my round trip fast and convenient or if I want to drive my car. I recall that last week I read there was a plane clash that killed 50 passengers, so I conclude it’s not safe to fly and I decide to drive.
The former example is both sufficient and unsophisticated. Driving to Florida from Maine will suffice for my trip, but my assumption that it’s safer isn’t sound. Data shows that in 2015 those in the U.S. who drove had a 1 in 114 chance of dying versus 1 in 9,821 for air travel.
edited Aug 10 at 12:33
V2Blast
11916
answered Aug 8 at 15:28
DukeLuke
437111
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Aug 12 at 12:26
add a comment |Â
up vote
22
down vote
accepted
The answer sprung on me after a few hours.
Heuristic technique, or heuristics.
From Wikipedia:
A heuristic technique, often called simply a heuristic, is any approach to problem solving, learning, or discovery that employs a practical method, not guaranteed to be optimal, perfect, logical, or rational, but instead sufficient for reaching an immediate goal. Where finding an optimal solution is impossible or impractical, heuristic methods can be used to speed up the process of finding a satisfactory solution.
I understand that the original question wasn’t the exact definition of heuristic, but it is applicable to certain applications of it. For example, availability heuristics, where an individual bases a conclusion on recent events that come to mind.
I’ll use an example I found online. I live in Maine and am planning a trip to Florida during the cold winter months. I’m determining whether or not I want to fly and make my round trip fast and convenient or if I want to drive my car. I recall that last week I read there was a plane clash that killed 50 passengers, so I conclude it’s not safe to fly and I decide to drive.
The former example is both sufficient and unsophisticated. Driving to Florida from Maine will suffice for my trip, but my assumption that it’s safer isn’t sound. Data shows that in 2015 those in the U.S. who drove had a 1 in 114 chance of dying versus 1 in 9,821 for air travel.
edited Aug 10 at 12:33
V2Blast
11916
answered Aug 8 at 15:28
DukeLuke
437111
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Aug 12 at 12:26
add a comment |Â
up vote
22
down vote
accepted
up vote
22
down vote
accepted
The answer sprung on me after a few hours.
Heuristic technique, or heuristics.
From Wikipedia:
A heuristic technique, often called simply a heuristic, is any approach to problem solving, learning, or discovery that employs a practical method, not guaranteed to be optimal, perfect, logical, or rational, but instead sufficient for reaching an immediate goal. Where finding an optimal solution is impossible or impractical, heuristic methods can be used to speed up the process of finding a satisfactory solution.
I understand that the original question wasn’t the exact definition of heuristic, but it is applicable to certain applications of it. For example, availability heuristics, where an individual bases a conclusion on recent events that come to mind.
I’ll use an example I found online. I live in Maine and am planning a trip to Florida during the cold winter months. I’m determining whether or not I want to fly and make my round trip fast and convenient or if I want to drive my car. I recall that last week I read there was a plane clash that killed 50 passengers, so I conclude it’s not safe to fly and I decide to drive.
The former example is both sufficient and unsophisticated. Driving to Florida from Maine will suffice for my trip, but my assumption that it’s safer isn’t sound. Data shows that in 2015 those in the U.S. who drove had a 1 in 114 chance of dying versus 1 in 9,821 for air travel.
edited Aug 10 at 12:33
V2Blast
11916
answered Aug 8 at 15:28
DukeLuke
437111
The answer sprung on me after a few hours.
Heuristic technique, or heuristics.
From Wikipedia:
A heuristic technique, often called simply a heuristic, is any approach to problem solving, learning, or discovery that employs a practical method, not guaranteed to be optimal, perfect, logical, or rational, but instead sufficient for reaching an immediate goal. Where finding an optimal solution is impossible or impractical, heuristic methods can be used to speed up the process of finding a satisfactory solution.
I understand that the original question wasn’t the exact definition of heuristic, but it is applicable to certain applications of it. For example, availability heuristics, where an individual bases a conclusion on recent events that come to mind.
I’ll use an example I found online. I live in Maine and am planning a trip to Florida during the cold winter months. I’m determining whether or not I want to fly and make my round trip fast and convenient or if I want to drive my car. I recall that last week I read there was a plane clash that killed 50 passengers, so I conclude it’s not safe to fly and I decide to drive.
The former example is both sufficient and unsophisticated. Driving to Florida from Maine will suffice for my trip, but my assumption that it’s safer isn’t sound. Data shows that in 2015 those in the U.S. who drove had a 1 in 114 chance of dying versus 1 in 9,821 for air travel.
edited Aug 10 at 12:33
V2Blast
11916
answered Aug 8 at 15:28
DukeLuke
437111
edited Aug 10 at 12:33
V2Blast
11916
edited Aug 10 at 12:33
V2Blast
11916
edited Aug 10 at 12:33
V2Blast
11916
11916
answered Aug 8 at 15:28
DukeLuke
437111
answered Aug 8 at 15:28
DukeLuke
437111
answered Aug 8 at 15:28
DukeLuke
437111
437111
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Aug 12 at 12:26
add a comment |Â
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Aug 12 at 12:26
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Aug 12 at 12:26
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– tchrist♦
Aug 12 at 12:26
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
I'm not sure this fits with your added example of use, but I would have said "a pragmatic solution".
Pragmatic:
practical as opposed to idealistic
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
I'm not sure this fits with your added example of use, but I would have said "a pragmatic solution".
Pragmatic:
practical as opposed to idealistic
add a comment |Â
up vote
11
down vote
up vote
11
down vote
I'm not sure this fits with your added example of use, but I would have said "a pragmatic solution".
Pragmatic:
practical as opposed to idealistic
I'm not sure this fits with your added example of use, but I would have said "a pragmatic solution".
Pragmatic:
practical as opposed to idealistic
answered Aug 8 at 22:38
user184130
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
9
down vote
In computing, that would be called a "naive solution" (or the naive solution). In another post, someone describes a naive algorithm as almost exactly what you are describing:
A Naive algorithm is usually the most obvious solution when one is asked a problem. It may not be a smart algorithm but will probably get the job done (...eventually.)
Notably, this phrase doesn't imply that the solution is bad. Just that there may be a more sophisticated solution.
answered Aug 9 at 5:29
piojo
1934
Don't knock it, in many cases the KISS principle would apply. There's often a lot to be said for Keep It Simple, Safe (or Stupid) if you're being less polite.
– BoldBen
Aug 9 at 10:18
1
@BoldBen KISS is "keeep it simple, stupid". Why? Because it has no connotation of safety. It CAN be the safer solution, but it also may not. (In programming, KISS would imply paying less attention to unlikely "edge cases", such as when the input data is much larger than what you are expecting.)
– piojo
Aug 10 at 2:08
1
I've always taken the "stupid" part to be directed at the person who has a tendency to over-complicate the solution leading to extra potential points of failure and difficulties with maintenance. Obviously a solution needs enough complexity to be reliable, effective and safe but the level of complexity needs to reflect the nature of the task and the environment. Maximum complexity is very rarely, if ever, optimal.
– BoldBen
Aug 10 at 15:05
add a comment |Â
up vote
9
down vote
In computing, that would be called a "naive solution" (or the naive solution). In another post, someone describes a naive algorithm as almost exactly what you are describing:
A Naive algorithm is usually the most obvious solution when one is asked a problem. It may not be a smart algorithm but will probably get the job done (...eventually.)
Notably, this phrase doesn't imply that the solution is bad. Just that there may be a more sophisticated solution.
answered Aug 9 at 5:29
piojo
1934
Don't knock it, in many cases the KISS principle would apply. There's often a lot to be said for Keep It Simple, Safe (or Stupid) if you're being less polite.
– BoldBen
Aug 9 at 10:18
1
@BoldBen KISS is "keeep it simple, stupid". Why? Because it has no connotation of safety. It CAN be the safer solution, but it also may not. (In programming, KISS would imply paying less attention to unlikely "edge cases", such as when the input data is much larger than what you are expecting.)
– piojo
Aug 10 at 2:08
1
I've always taken the "stupid" part to be directed at the person who has a tendency to over-complicate the solution leading to extra potential points of failure and difficulties with maintenance. Obviously a solution needs enough complexity to be reliable, effective and safe but the level of complexity needs to reflect the nature of the task and the environment. Maximum complexity is very rarely, if ever, optimal.
– BoldBen
Aug 10 at 15:05
add a comment |Â
up vote
9
down vote
up vote
9
down vote
In computing, that would be called a "naive solution" (or the naive solution). In another post, someone describes a naive algorithm as almost exactly what you are describing:
A Naive algorithm is usually the most obvious solution when one is asked a problem. It may not be a smart algorithm but will probably get the job done (...eventually.)
Notably, this phrase doesn't imply that the solution is bad. Just that there may be a more sophisticated solution.
answered Aug 9 at 5:29
piojo
1934
In computing, that would be called a "naive solution" (or the naive solution). In another post, someone describes a naive algorithm as almost exactly what you are describing:
A Naive algorithm is usually the most obvious solution when one is asked a problem. It may not be a smart algorithm but will probably get the job done (...eventually.)
Notably, this phrase doesn't imply that the solution is bad. Just that there may be a more sophisticated solution.
answered Aug 9 at 5:29
piojo
1934
edited Aug 11 at 1:57
answered Aug 9 at 5:29
piojo
1934
answered Aug 9 at 5:29
piojo
1934
answered Aug 9 at 5:29
piojo
1934
1934
Don't knock it, in many cases the KISS principle would apply. There's often a lot to be said for Keep It Simple, Safe (or Stupid) if you're being less polite.
– BoldBen
Aug 9 at 10:18
1
@BoldBen KISS is "keeep it simple, stupid". Why? Because it has no connotation of safety. It CAN be the safer solution, but it also may not. (In programming, KISS would imply paying less attention to unlikely "edge cases", such as when the input data is much larger than what you are expecting.)
– piojo
Aug 10 at 2:08
1
I've always taken the "stupid" part to be directed at the person who has a tendency to over-complicate the solution leading to extra potential points of failure and difficulties with maintenance. Obviously a solution needs enough complexity to be reliable, effective and safe but the level of complexity needs to reflect the nature of the task and the environment. Maximum complexity is very rarely, if ever, optimal.
– BoldBen
Aug 10 at 15:05
add a comment |Â
Don't knock it, in many cases the KISS principle would apply. There's often a lot to be said for Keep It Simple, Safe (or Stupid) if you're being less polite.
– BoldBen
Aug 9 at 10:18
1
@BoldBen KISS is "keeep it simple, stupid". Why? Because it has no connotation of safety. It CAN be the safer solution, but it also may not. (In programming, KISS would imply paying less attention to unlikely "edge cases", such as when the input data is much larger than what you are expecting.)
– piojo
Aug 10 at 2:08
1
I've always taken the "stupid" part to be directed at the person who has a tendency to over-complicate the solution leading to extra potential points of failure and difficulties with maintenance. Obviously a solution needs enough complexity to be reliable, effective and safe but the level of complexity needs to reflect the nature of the task and the environment. Maximum complexity is very rarely, if ever, optimal.
– BoldBen
Aug 10 at 15:05
Don't knock it, in many cases the KISS principle would apply. There's often a lot to be said for Keep It Simple, Safe (or Stupid) if you're being less polite.
– BoldBen
Aug 9 at 10:18
Don't knock it, in many cases the KISS principle would apply. There's often a lot to be said for Keep It Simple, Safe (or Stupid) if you're being less polite.
– BoldBen
Aug 9 at 10:18
1
1
@BoldBen KISS is "keeep it simple, stupid". Why? Because it has no connotation of safety. It CAN be the safer solution, but it also may not. (In programming, KISS would imply paying less attention to unlikely "edge cases", such as when the input data is much larger than what you are expecting.)
– piojo
Aug 10 at 2:08
@BoldBen KISS is "keeep it simple, stupid". Why? Because it has no connotation of safety. It CAN be the safer solution, but it also may not. (In programming, KISS would imply paying less attention to unlikely "edge cases", such as when the input data is much larger than what you are expecting.)
– piojo
Aug 10 at 2:08
1
1
I've always taken the "stupid" part to be directed at the person who has a tendency to over-complicate the solution leading to extra potential points of failure and difficulties with maintenance. Obviously a solution needs enough complexity to be reliable, effective and safe but the level of complexity needs to reflect the nature of the task and the environment. Maximum complexity is very rarely, if ever, optimal.
– BoldBen
Aug 10 at 15:05
I've always taken the "stupid" part to be directed at the person who has a tendency to over-complicate the solution leading to extra potential points of failure and difficulties with maintenance. Obviously a solution needs enough complexity to be reliable, effective and safe but the level of complexity needs to reflect the nature of the task and the environment. Maximum complexity is very rarely, if ever, optimal.
– BoldBen
Aug 10 at 15:05
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
Are you by any chance thinking of ad hoc? It seems to fit your definition of "practical to reaching a short term goal" fairly well.
Ad hoc:
for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application
answered Aug 9 at 11:32
Maxime Pia
512
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
Are you by any chance thinking of ad hoc? It seems to fit your definition of "practical to reaching a short term goal" fairly well.
Ad hoc:
for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application
answered Aug 9 at 11:32
Maxime Pia
512
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
Are you by any chance thinking of ad hoc? It seems to fit your definition of "practical to reaching a short term goal" fairly well.
Ad hoc:
for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application
answered Aug 9 at 11:32
Maxime Pia
512
Are you by any chance thinking of ad hoc? It seems to fit your definition of "practical to reaching a short term goal" fairly well.
Ad hoc:
for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application
answered Aug 9 at 11:32
Maxime Pia
512
answered Aug 9 at 11:32
Maxime Pia
512
answered Aug 9 at 11:32
Maxime Pia
512
answered Aug 9 at 11:32
Maxime Pia
512
512
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
With the understanding that the desired term has already been found in "heuristic", I'll still venture another H-word for the Googlers out there :)
Honest effort - an effort which is "in good faith" or "showing fairness and sincerity; straightforward; free from deceit." However, while I cannot find any official definition of this, I feel in common usage it has a more complex meaning.
That meaning that I understand for it, is as an unsophisticated good-faith attempt which falls shy of perfection.
"while this first cake is an honest effort, the second cake wins the prize." - this doesn't imply that the first cake is a bad cake, it doesn't say it's a failure, it's just not a best-in-show cake. It's still a tasty, good-looking cake, though.
Quotes I've found include:
It was an honest effort, but the team ended up apologizing, sort of. [Wizards apologize if Black History Month tribute 'missed the mark']
-- Washington Post, Feb 3 2016
It was an honest effort, but a mistake nevertheless. His attempt to handle Rosecrans with gentleness backfired.
-- Halleck: Lincoln's Chief of Staff by Stephen E Ambrose, 1996
The exempt counties are reliably Republican outposts, so currying favour with constituents is a likelier explanation than outright racial animus. “It was an honest effort to recognise that across the state there are variations in the ability to get jobs.[...]"
-- The Economist, May 17 2018
His first mixtape, "The Purple Tape," surfaced in 2012, when he was 18. Looking back, he realizes its limitations. "I thought I was ready, but it was really immature," he says. "I was talking about cool stuff other teenagers were doing. It was very vain. It was an honest effort, and true to everything I was doing at 17, 18. But it's definitely night and day between then and now." -- Joey Purp, Chicago Tribune Aug 8 2018
We were begged not to punish the State of Idaho for a mistake, if it was a mistake, in regard to its own organization; for it is said they made an “honest effort†to comply with the law
-- Congressional Record, 1892
This usage seems to fit both with the "not optimal" current phrasing, and with the "not sophisticated" previous phrasing of this question, tough of course the meaning is far removed and more negative from that of heuristic.
Heuristic typically implies "industry standard rule of thumb"-type competence.
An honest effort instead implies "giving it your best shot and getting close", often with implications of failure-through-inexperience.
answered Aug 8 at 22:12
Dewi Morgan
1,353514
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
With the understanding that the desired term has already been found in "heuristic", I'll still venture another H-word for the Googlers out there :)
Honest effort - an effort which is "in good faith" or "showing fairness and sincerity; straightforward; free from deceit." However, while I cannot find any official definition of this, I feel in common usage it has a more complex meaning.
That meaning that I understand for it, is as an unsophisticated good-faith attempt which falls shy of perfection.
"while this first cake is an honest effort, the second cake wins the prize." - this doesn't imply that the first cake is a bad cake, it doesn't say it's a failure, it's just not a best-in-show cake. It's still a tasty, good-looking cake, though.
Quotes I've found include:
It was an honest effort, but the team ended up apologizing, sort of. [Wizards apologize if Black History Month tribute 'missed the mark']
-- Washington Post, Feb 3 2016
It was an honest effort, but a mistake nevertheless. His attempt to handle Rosecrans with gentleness backfired.
-- Halleck: Lincoln's Chief of Staff by Stephen E Ambrose, 1996
The exempt counties are reliably Republican outposts, so currying favour with constituents is a likelier explanation than outright racial animus. “It was an honest effort to recognise that across the state there are variations in the ability to get jobs.[...]"
-- The Economist, May 17 2018
His first mixtape, "The Purple Tape," surfaced in 2012, when he was 18. Looking back, he realizes its limitations. "I thought I was ready, but it was really immature," he says. "I was talking about cool stuff other teenagers were doing. It was very vain. It was an honest effort, and true to everything I was doing at 17, 18. But it's definitely night and day between then and now." -- Joey Purp, Chicago Tribune Aug 8 2018
We were begged not to punish the State of Idaho for a mistake, if it was a mistake, in regard to its own organization; for it is said they made an “honest effort†to comply with the law
-- Congressional Record, 1892
This usage seems to fit both with the "not optimal" current phrasing, and with the "not sophisticated" previous phrasing of this question, tough of course the meaning is far removed and more negative from that of heuristic.
Heuristic typically implies "industry standard rule of thumb"-type competence.
An honest effort instead implies "giving it your best shot and getting close", often with implications of failure-through-inexperience.
answered Aug 8 at 22:12
Dewi Morgan
1,353514
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
With the understanding that the desired term has already been found in "heuristic", I'll still venture another H-word for the Googlers out there :)
Honest effort - an effort which is "in good faith" or "showing fairness and sincerity; straightforward; free from deceit." However, while I cannot find any official definition of this, I feel in common usage it has a more complex meaning.
That meaning that I understand for it, is as an unsophisticated good-faith attempt which falls shy of perfection.
"while this first cake is an honest effort, the second cake wins the prize." - this doesn't imply that the first cake is a bad cake, it doesn't say it's a failure, it's just not a best-in-show cake. It's still a tasty, good-looking cake, though.
Quotes I've found include:
It was an honest effort, but the team ended up apologizing, sort of. [Wizards apologize if Black History Month tribute 'missed the mark']
-- Washington Post, Feb 3 2016
It was an honest effort, but a mistake nevertheless. His attempt to handle Rosecrans with gentleness backfired.
-- Halleck: Lincoln's Chief of Staff by Stephen E Ambrose, 1996
The exempt counties are reliably Republican outposts, so currying favour with constituents is a likelier explanation than outright racial animus. “It was an honest effort to recognise that across the state there are variations in the ability to get jobs.[...]"
-- The Economist, May 17 2018
His first mixtape, "The Purple Tape," surfaced in 2012, when he was 18. Looking back, he realizes its limitations. "I thought I was ready, but it was really immature," he says. "I was talking about cool stuff other teenagers were doing. It was very vain. It was an honest effort, and true to everything I was doing at 17, 18. But it's definitely night and day between then and now." -- Joey Purp, Chicago Tribune Aug 8 2018
We were begged not to punish the State of Idaho for a mistake, if it was a mistake, in regard to its own organization; for it is said they made an “honest effort†to comply with the law
-- Congressional Record, 1892
This usage seems to fit both with the "not optimal" current phrasing, and with the "not sophisticated" previous phrasing of this question, tough of course the meaning is far removed and more negative from that of heuristic.
Heuristic typically implies "industry standard rule of thumb"-type competence.
An honest effort instead implies "giving it your best shot and getting close", often with implications of failure-through-inexperience.
answered Aug 8 at 22:12
Dewi Morgan
1,353514
With the understanding that the desired term has already been found in "heuristic", I'll still venture another H-word for the Googlers out there :)
Honest effort - an effort which is "in good faith" or "showing fairness and sincerity; straightforward; free from deceit." However, while I cannot find any official definition of this, I feel in common usage it has a more complex meaning.
That meaning that I understand for it, is as an unsophisticated good-faith attempt which falls shy of perfection.
"while this first cake is an honest effort, the second cake wins the prize." - this doesn't imply that the first cake is a bad cake, it doesn't say it's a failure, it's just not a best-in-show cake. It's still a tasty, good-looking cake, though.
Quotes I've found include:
It was an honest effort, but the team ended up apologizing, sort of. [Wizards apologize if Black History Month tribute 'missed the mark']
-- Washington Post, Feb 3 2016
It was an honest effort, but a mistake nevertheless. His attempt to handle Rosecrans with gentleness backfired.
-- Halleck: Lincoln's Chief of Staff by Stephen E Ambrose, 1996
The exempt counties are reliably Republican outposts, so currying favour with constituents is a likelier explanation than outright racial animus. “It was an honest effort to recognise that across the state there are variations in the ability to get jobs.[...]"
-- The Economist, May 17 2018
His first mixtape, "The Purple Tape," surfaced in 2012, when he was 18. Looking back, he realizes its limitations. "I thought I was ready, but it was really immature," he says. "I was talking about cool stuff other teenagers were doing. It was very vain. It was an honest effort, and true to everything I was doing at 17, 18. But it's definitely night and day between then and now." -- Joey Purp, Chicago Tribune Aug 8 2018
We were begged not to punish the State of Idaho for a mistake, if it was a mistake, in regard to its own organization; for it is said they made an “honest effort†to comply with the law
-- Congressional Record, 1892
This usage seems to fit both with the "not optimal" current phrasing, and with the "not sophisticated" previous phrasing of this question, tough of course the meaning is far removed and more negative from that of heuristic.
Heuristic typically implies "industry standard rule of thumb"-type competence.
An honest effort instead implies "giving it your best shot and getting close", often with implications of failure-through-inexperience.
answered Aug 8 at 22:12
Dewi Morgan
1,353514
answered Aug 8 at 22:12
Dewi Morgan
1,353514
answered Aug 8 at 22:12
Dewi Morgan
1,353514
answered Aug 8 at 22:12
Dewi Morgan
1,353514
1,353514
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
"Heuristics" are actually a scientific process but match your description after the "EDIT". A "hack" has the implication of being something not intended in that manner. A "kludge" is something that just happens to work but may fall apart any time and/or looks seriously out of place.
For your description of the term before the first "EDIT", I'd use "expedient" instead. That describes a low-effort convenient solution that isn't actually out of place.
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up vote
2
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"Heuristics" are actually a scientific process but match your description after the "EDIT". A "hack" has the implication of being something not intended in that manner. A "kludge" is something that just happens to work but may fall apart any time and/or looks seriously out of place.
For your description of the term before the first "EDIT", I'd use "expedient" instead. That describes a low-effort convenient solution that isn't actually out of place.
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up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
"Heuristics" are actually a scientific process but match your description after the "EDIT". A "hack" has the implication of being something not intended in that manner. A "kludge" is something that just happens to work but may fall apart any time and/or looks seriously out of place.
For your description of the term before the first "EDIT", I'd use "expedient" instead. That describes a low-effort convenient solution that isn't actually out of place.
"Heuristics" are actually a scientific process but match your description after the "EDIT". A "hack" has the implication of being something not intended in that manner. A "kludge" is something that just happens to work but may fall apart any time and/or looks seriously out of place.
For your description of the term before the first "EDIT", I'd use "expedient" instead. That describes a low-effort convenient solution that isn't actually out of place.
answered Aug 9 at 10:22
user311799
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Jugaad (Financial Times, Lexicon)
Jugaad means thinking in a frugal way and being flexible, which, in turn, requires the innovator or entrepreneur to adapt quickly to often unforeseen situations and uncertain circumstances in an intelligent way.
Intelligence in this context "isn’t about seeking sophistication or perfection by over-engineering products, but rather about developing a ‘good-enough’ solution that gets the job done".
Note the wording in the second para.
See also:
jugaad on ODO
Winging it (Cachero et al., BBC Culture)
And not to miss at all (seriously):
Images
answered Aug 9 at 11:33
Kris
31.6k539113
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up vote
2
down vote
Jugaad (Financial Times, Lexicon)
Jugaad means thinking in a frugal way and being flexible, which, in turn, requires the innovator or entrepreneur to adapt quickly to often unforeseen situations and uncertain circumstances in an intelligent way.
Intelligence in this context "isn’t about seeking sophistication or perfection by over-engineering products, but rather about developing a ‘good-enough’ solution that gets the job done".
Note the wording in the second para.
See also:
jugaad on ODO
Winging it (Cachero et al., BBC Culture)
And not to miss at all (seriously):
Images
answered Aug 9 at 11:33
Kris
31.6k539113
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Jugaad (Financial Times, Lexicon)
Jugaad means thinking in a frugal way and being flexible, which, in turn, requires the innovator or entrepreneur to adapt quickly to often unforeseen situations and uncertain circumstances in an intelligent way.
Intelligence in this context "isn’t about seeking sophistication or perfection by over-engineering products, but rather about developing a ‘good-enough’ solution that gets the job done".
Note the wording in the second para.
See also:
jugaad on ODO
Winging it (Cachero et al., BBC Culture)
And not to miss at all (seriously):
Images
answered Aug 9 at 11:33
Kris
31.6k539113
Jugaad (Financial Times, Lexicon)
Jugaad means thinking in a frugal way and being flexible, which, in turn, requires the innovator or entrepreneur to adapt quickly to often unforeseen situations and uncertain circumstances in an intelligent way.
Intelligence in this context "isn’t about seeking sophistication or perfection by over-engineering products, but rather about developing a ‘good-enough’ solution that gets the job done".
Note the wording in the second para.
See also:
jugaad on ODO
Winging it (Cachero et al., BBC Culture)
And not to miss at all (seriously):
Images
answered Aug 9 at 11:33
Kris
31.6k539113
answered Aug 9 at 11:33
Kris
31.6k539113
answered Aug 9 at 11:33
Kris
31.6k539113
answered Aug 9 at 11:33
Kris
31.6k539113
31.6k539113
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up vote
0
down vote
Another descriptive adjective would be haphazard (as in a haphazard solution) which MW defines as
marked by lack of plan, order, or direction
answered Aug 9 at 10:01
glissi
1374
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
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Another descriptive adjective would be haphazard (as in a haphazard solution) which MW defines as
marked by lack of plan, order, or direction
answered Aug 9 at 10:01
glissi
1374
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
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up vote
0
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Another descriptive adjective would be haphazard (as in a haphazard solution) which MW defines as
marked by lack of plan, order, or direction
answered Aug 9 at 10:01
glissi
1374
Another descriptive adjective would be haphazard (as in a haphazard solution) which MW defines as
marked by lack of plan, order, or direction
answered Aug 9 at 10:01
glissi
1374
answered Aug 9 at 10:01
glissi
1374
answered Aug 9 at 10:01
glissi
1374
answered Aug 9 at 10:01
glissi
1374
1374
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
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0
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Heavy-handed
Clumsy
With the entry for clumsy:
1 a : lacking dexterity, nimbleness, or grace (clumsy fingers)
b : lacking tact or subtlety (a clumsy joke)
2 : awkward or inefficient in use or construction : unwieldy (a clumsy contraption)
answered Aug 9 at 13:21
Chuck
1314
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
I'm not sure what context to provide. OP asked, "I'm sure that the word begins with 'H' and describes a process or solution that may not necessarily be optimized." I provided the word/phrase "heavy-handed," and the (chained) definition, "awkward or inefficient in use or construction." I would think that OP's question provides the context, does it not? I'm also an infrequent visitor of the site, so my apologies if I've missed something. Please help me understand.
– Chuck
Aug 14 at 13:47
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0
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Heavy-handed
Clumsy
With the entry for clumsy:
1 a : lacking dexterity, nimbleness, or grace (clumsy fingers)
b : lacking tact or subtlety (a clumsy joke)
2 : awkward or inefficient in use or construction : unwieldy (a clumsy contraption)
answered Aug 9 at 13:21
Chuck
1314
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
I'm not sure what context to provide. OP asked, "I'm sure that the word begins with 'H' and describes a process or solution that may not necessarily be optimized." I provided the word/phrase "heavy-handed," and the (chained) definition, "awkward or inefficient in use or construction." I would think that OP's question provides the context, does it not? I'm also an infrequent visitor of the site, so my apologies if I've missed something. Please help me understand.
– Chuck
Aug 14 at 13:47
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0
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up vote
0
down vote
Heavy-handed
Clumsy
With the entry for clumsy:
1 a : lacking dexterity, nimbleness, or grace (clumsy fingers)
b : lacking tact or subtlety (a clumsy joke)
2 : awkward or inefficient in use or construction : unwieldy (a clumsy contraption)
answered Aug 9 at 13:21
Chuck
1314
Heavy-handed
Clumsy
With the entry for clumsy:
1 a : lacking dexterity, nimbleness, or grace (clumsy fingers)
b : lacking tact or subtlety (a clumsy joke)
2 : awkward or inefficient in use or construction : unwieldy (a clumsy contraption)
answered Aug 9 at 13:21
Chuck
1314
answered Aug 9 at 13:21
Chuck
1314
answered Aug 9 at 13:21
Chuck
1314
answered Aug 9 at 13:21
Chuck
1314
1314
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
I'm not sure what context to provide. OP asked, "I'm sure that the word begins with 'H' and describes a process or solution that may not necessarily be optimized." I provided the word/phrase "heavy-handed," and the (chained) definition, "awkward or inefficient in use or construction." I would think that OP's question provides the context, does it not? I'm also an infrequent visitor of the site, so my apologies if I've missed something. Please help me understand.
– Chuck
Aug 14 at 13:47
add a comment |Â
I'm not sure what context to provide. OP asked, "I'm sure that the word begins with 'H' and describes a process or solution that may not necessarily be optimized." I provided the word/phrase "heavy-handed," and the (chained) definition, "awkward or inefficient in use or construction." I would think that OP's question provides the context, does it not? I'm also an infrequent visitor of the site, so my apologies if I've missed something. Please help me understand.
– Chuck
Aug 14 at 13:47
I'm not sure what context to provide. OP asked, "I'm sure that the word begins with 'H' and describes a process or solution that may not necessarily be optimized." I provided the word/phrase "heavy-handed," and the (chained) definition, "awkward or inefficient in use or construction." I would think that OP's question provides the context, does it not? I'm also an infrequent visitor of the site, so my apologies if I've missed something. Please help me understand.
– Chuck
Aug 14 at 13:47
I'm not sure what context to provide. OP asked, "I'm sure that the word begins with 'H' and describes a process or solution that may not necessarily be optimized." I provided the word/phrase "heavy-handed," and the (chained) definition, "awkward or inefficient in use or construction." I would think that OP's question provides the context, does it not? I'm also an infrequent visitor of the site, so my apologies if I've missed something. Please help me understand.
– Chuck
Aug 14 at 13:47
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0
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Almost every other answer to this question assumes lack of sophistication in a solution to be a negative trait. Therefore, I will offer an alternative:
Elegant (Oxford English Dictionary):
- Graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.
‘she will look elegant in black’
‘an elegant, comfortable house’
- (of a scientific theory or solution to a problem) pleasingly ingenious and simple.
‘the grand unified theory is compact and elegant in mathematical terms’
answered Aug 9 at 12:03
Ian Young
1011
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up vote
0
down vote
Almost every other answer to this question assumes lack of sophistication in a solution to be a negative trait. Therefore, I will offer an alternative:
Elegant (Oxford English Dictionary):
- Graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.
‘she will look elegant in black’
‘an elegant, comfortable house’
- (of a scientific theory or solution to a problem) pleasingly ingenious and simple.
‘the grand unified theory is compact and elegant in mathematical terms’
answered Aug 9 at 12:03
Ian Young
1011
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Almost every other answer to this question assumes lack of sophistication in a solution to be a negative trait. Therefore, I will offer an alternative:
Elegant (Oxford English Dictionary):
- Graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.
‘she will look elegant in black’
‘an elegant, comfortable house’
- (of a scientific theory or solution to a problem) pleasingly ingenious and simple.
‘the grand unified theory is compact and elegant in mathematical terms’
answered Aug 9 at 12:03
Ian Young
1011
Almost every other answer to this question assumes lack of sophistication in a solution to be a negative trait. Therefore, I will offer an alternative:
Elegant (Oxford English Dictionary):
- Graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.
‘she will look elegant in black’
‘an elegant, comfortable house’
- (of a scientific theory or solution to a problem) pleasingly ingenious and simple.
‘the grand unified theory is compact and elegant in mathematical terms’
answered Aug 9 at 12:03
Ian Young
1011
edited Aug 9 at 13:50
answered Aug 9 at 12:03
Ian Young
1011
answered Aug 9 at 12:03
Ian Young
1011
answered Aug 9 at 12:03
Ian Young
1011
1011
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add a comment |Â
protected by tchrist♦ Aug 11 at 4:32
Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?
1
There's 'hash', but that definitely has a negative connotation. Have you checked a thesaurus for synonyms of jury-rig, the answers provided by @vth, etc?
– John Feltz
Aug 8 at 14:28
6
@DukeLuke Welcome to EL&U, but please see the guidance on single-word-requests. The more context you can provide, the better. For example, what is an example of the situation you describe? The two words that immediately come to my mind are given by vth, but you dismiss them without explanation. As it stands, therefore, the question is not likely to be helpful to future visitors; it's a guessing game or the answer to a crossword.
– choster
Aug 8 at 14:30
1
@DukeLuke yes I had seen that, which is why I didn't answer, but commented instead. I just thought I would share my opinion that I feel 'sufficient' has connotations of being crude, and would probably suffice if you were unable to find the precise word you are looking for. Apologies if I frustrated you by not answering your exact question.
– Benjamin
Aug 8 at 19:46
2
@DukeLuke - Don't use your question to explain why you posted/accepted an answer. If you need to provide that sort of commentary, put it in a comment on the answer.
– AndyT
Aug 9 at 14:23
1
Even after edits, the question does not match your accepted answer.
– R..
Aug 11 at 1:01