"diffy Q" vs. "D.E." for "Differential Equations"

[Fred Shapiro]

On Mon, 4 Sep 2000, Gerald Cohen wrote:

>         A retired professor of Mathematics at my campus tells me he is
> familiar with the colloquial  "Diffy Q" (for "Differential Equations") only
> from our campus (University of Missouri-Rolla).  Elsewhere he has heard the
> reference only as "D.E."
> He has been retired for ten years.
>
>         I told him I would ask ADS-L about this.  Can anyone help?  Is
> anyone familiar with "Diffy Q" at other universities?

I think this is probably widespread.  I remember it being used at MIT in
the 1970s.

Fred Shapiro



Fred R. Shapiro                             Editor
Associate Librarian for Public Services     YALE DICTIONARY OF QUOTATIONS
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