_Reboot_: a semantic extension thereof

[Garson O'Toole]

 Wilson Gray wrote
> Subject:      _Reboot_: a semantic extension thereof
> "... Wonder Woman, NBC's _reboot_ of the comic-book heroine's hit '70's show."

The word reboot has been used in phrases such as: Battlestar Galatica
reboot, Superman reboot, Batman reboot. This use may be derived from
comic book terminology. Usage was already established by 1996 when it
appeared in an FAQ:

Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.info
Followup-To: rec.arts.comics.dc.universe
From: fra... at fife.cs.indiana.edu (JL Franke)
Date: 1996/09/24
Subject: [FAQ] Short Rec.arts.comics.dc.universe Frequently Asked Questions

 The Rec.Arts.Comics.DC.Universe
                       Frequently Asked Questions List
                                 Short Form
...
E4. What's a reboot?
A reboot is the complete remaking of a character or title's continuity.


The OED appears to include this sense under:
reboot, v. 2. trans. In extended use: to start (a process, etc.)
afresh or with renewed vigour; to restart. Also intr.

The first cite is 1989 and the first media related cite is 2006:

1989    Globe & Mail (Toronto) 30 Mar. b1/5   Computer retailer Canada
Lease is still hoping to reboot its operation despite the National
Bank of Canada demanding repayment of its debt.

2006    N.Y. Times (Nexis) 24 Dec. ii. 38/2   Fox started ‘24’ in the
fall, took time off during the baseball playoffs and rebooted the
series in January.

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