Understanding a Bit

[Penpilot]

Eight bits are a byte...

Does that mean if you byte someone you bit them eight times? And since there are two nibbles in a byte, does that count as two nibbles?

Man all this talk about bits, bytes, and nibbles is making me hungry. I'm going to enable cookies on my browser and install Java. Maybe someone will send me some SPAM so I can have a real nice snack. Hopefully, I won't get a ID10T error message.

OK I'll stop now.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Would you think a "bit" is:
1. A small piece
2. The sharpened edge of an axe.
3. Other

I used the word "bit" or "bits" seven times in my story for Ankari's anthology.

In 5 instances, Addison uses "bit" to refer to a small piece or amount.

And the other 2 times, she's referring to…………… genitalia.

"…thankfully, he’s holding me pants all wadded up in front of his manly bits like a gentleman."
(Referring to a man who needed pants, and Addy gave him pants, but she needs to hack his shackles off before he can dress himself.)

"The flower petals form a strapless dress that covers her body. I can’t tell if she has proper lady bits or just a girly shape, but it ain’t me business to know that."
(Referring to a tiger lily that transformed into a fairy.)

 

[Russ]

I have been swinging an axe one way or another for as long as I can remember. Never heard "bit" used that way.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Same here. When looking up the word, this is the only definition of bit that applies to any kind of tool.

bit[SUP]3[/SUP]
/bit/
noun
noun: bit; plural noun: bits

• 1.
  a mouthpiece, typically made of metal, that is attached to a bridle and used to control a horse.
  
  
  
• 2.
  a tool or piece for boring or drilling, typically of metal.
  "a drill bit"
  
  • the cutting or gripping part of a plane, pliers, or other tool.
  • the part of a key that engages with the lock lever.
  • the copper head of a soldering iron.

​To be fair, the online dictionary doesn't support Addison's use of the word either.

 

[T.Allen.Smith]

From Merriam-Webster Online:

Bit- (Noun)
1a (1) :the biting or cutting edge or part of a tool

There are loads of definitions as both verbs & nouns, which is why I asked the question.

I think clarity here is more important than the need to include a technical term or find another way to say "edge".

I've decided to revise for clarity. Thanks all.

 

[BWFoster78]

I couldn't help smile when reading through this thread:

OP - Need some advice ...

Posters - Here's some advice.

OP - Cool. Thanks.

Posters - Here's some more advice.

OP - Great. But I think I've got it.

Posters - Here's some more advice.

OP - For the love of God, could you please stop with the advice already!

 

[T.Allen.Smith]

Lol, not at all.

I enjoy hearing the added opinions. However, the responding membership was unanimous in not knowing the technical term for an axe's edge. That's all I really needed to know.

Are fantasy readers aware of this term? They aren't.

Clarity is King.