I also have heard Squirrel, the first time I ever heard of SQL. It was in a webinar info session for just a very superficial top-level type of understanding, really intended for nothing more than to acquaint first-tier support staff with technical terms and concepts. “SQL stands for Structured Query Language. For short, we can call it ‘sequel’ or ‘squirrel’.” (Cue stupid clip-art graphic of a buck-toothed smiling squirrel on a tree branch, holding an acorn, because what’s a webinar without insipid mnemonics?) That sort of thing.
I grokked the use of ‘sequel’, because the letter sequence S-Q-L is exactly that word, sans vowels, and even if schwas are substituted for the vowels, the pronunciation doesn’t change much.
But for ‘squirrel’ I had to imagine that they were taking the R from ‘queRy’ and injecting it to make SQL into SQrL for the sake of a cute memory device that would resonate with people who weren’t expected to have any interest deeper than a front-line customer service drone.
I’d be curious if “Squirrel” originated with the SQuirreL client. The only time I’ve heard someone call SQL “squirrel” was because they were using SQL interchangeably with the client.
I’ve also heard Squirrel
I had a uni lecturer pronounce MySQL as “my squirrel”
Where does the R come from? 🤔
I also have heard Squirrel, the first time I ever heard of SQL. It was in a webinar info session for just a very superficial top-level type of understanding, really intended for nothing more than to acquaint first-tier support staff with technical terms and concepts. “SQL stands for Structured Query Language. For short, we can call it ‘sequel’ or ‘squirrel’.” (Cue stupid clip-art graphic of a buck-toothed smiling squirrel on a tree branch, holding an acorn, because what’s a webinar without insipid mnemonics?) That sort of thing.
I grokked the use of ‘sequel’, because the letter sequence S-Q-L is exactly that word, sans vowels, and even if schwas are substituted for the vowels, the pronunciation doesn’t change much.
But for ‘squirrel’ I had to imagine that they were taking the R from ‘queRy’ and injecting it to make SQL into SQrL for the sake of a cute memory device that would resonate with people who weren’t expected to have any interest deeper than a front-line customer service drone.
I’d be curious if “Squirrel” originated with the SQuirreL client. The only time I’ve heard someone call SQL “squirrel” was because they were using SQL interchangeably with the client.