What is a Slot?
A slot is a narrow opening, groove, notch, or slit that is used to receive, carry, or position something. The word slot is derived from the French “slot”, which means “trough.” Some examples of slots include an interior opening in a copy desk, which is occupied by the chief copy editor. Some birds have a slot in their primaries that helps maintain the smooth flow of air over their wings. In a game of basketball, a slot is the unmarked area of the hoop near the opponent’s goal.
The word slot has many meanings in sports. In hockey, it refers to a rectangular area that extends towards the blue line. It is also the fourth position in a flying display. The term is derived from the Latin verb “sleuta,” which means “slave.” It is cognate with the German word Schloss. Slot trenching is a common method of underground utility installation, but some people prefer to use hydro excavation instead. Hydro excavation is non-destructive, and can be completed more efficiently.
Another problem with slot machines is that they can malfunction. This can occur when an electronic slot machine displays a smaller prize than it really did. This usually goes unnoticed and is not a problem unless the jackpot is reported incorrectly. Two casinos in Colorado recently had problems with this, and the Colorado Gaming Commission looked into the machines’ records. It found that software errors were responsible for the malfunction. In most cases, the actual jackpot was significantly smaller.