SLiPs

Slips is a term with multiple, largely unrelated meanings across different fields. In everyday language, a slip refers to a deviation from an expected path or outcome, most commonly an error or misstep. It can describe a slip of the tongue, a minor mistake in performance, or a loss of footing resulting in a slide.

In clothing, a slip is an undergarment worn beneath dresses or skirts to create smooth lines and reduce cling. Materials vary from silk and satin to synthetic fabrics, and lengths range from knee to full length. The term “slip dress” refers to a dress designed to be worn on its own or with minimal outer layers.

In nautical contexts, a slip is a docking space in a marina where a vessel is moored between two piers. A slipway, or ramp, is a structure used to launch boats from land into the water or to haul them out for maintenance.

Geologically, slip describes the movement along a fault or shear plane within rocks. Such slippage can occur gradually over time or suddenly during an earthquake, and geologists study slip rate, fault geometry, and related seismic hazards to understand fault behavior.

In computing and networking, SLIP stands for Serial Line Internet Protocol, a historical protocol for running IP over serial connections. It has largely been replaced by more modern technologies such as PPP and Ethernet-based methods.