1

Source: Sams Teach Yourself Networking in 24 Hours, 4th Edition by Uyless Black (2009)

Example:

If you're opening the case and the top doesn't come off easily, don't force it. Forcing a computer case may damage the box and its contents. Granted, the plastic envelopes that encase computer components (and other modern electronic products) challenge the most avid box shredder. Nonetheless, force will merely strengthen the case against you... so to speak.

I pondered what that might mean for a while and finally gave up. Any idea as to what exactly the author means by plastic envelops and avid box shredder? What does all that have to do with shredding cases made of plastic? I don't understand the joke.

Improve this question
6
  • What does your dictionary tell you about the adjective avid?
    – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica
    Commented Oct 27, 2016 at 23:25
  • Not sure what you mean, but the word "avid" is definitely not used when describing things. You use it only to talk about people.
    – Michael Rybkin
    Commented Oct 28, 2016 at 0:42
  • In your citation, box shredder does refer to a person: "the most avid person who shreds boxes." cf. "milk drinker", "dog walker", "meat eater".
    – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica
    Commented Oct 28, 2016 at 0:46
  • 1
    "...the plastic envelopes that encase computer components ... challenge the most avid box shredder" means "plastic blister packs are difficult to open even for a person who is good at opening packages." But there really isn't supposed to be a "joke" there.
    – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica
    Commented Oct 28, 2016 at 1:40
  • 1
    It means that the writer's boredom caught up with him when he came to penning that part of his text and he was, understandably, looking for an amusing diversion. It's meagre fare for such drudgery, but needs must, as they say. I've done worse.
    – Mick
    Commented Oct 28, 2016 at 2:14

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

One reason it might be confusing is that the author is trying to be funny by calling it an avid box-shredder. "Avid" is more frequently a term used with humans, meaning "keen interest" or "enthusiasm".

He is an avid student of English

When you apply avid to an inanimate object it becomes a metaphor, so we can imagine this shredder eagerly chewing up everything it can -- but choking on the tough plastic packaging that computer components come in.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .