"back-of-the-envelope"

[nq:1]What is the meaning of "back-of-the-envelope"? I often see "back-of-the-envelope calculations" in some sentences. Thanks![/nq]
Imagine you are sitting in a diner or other public place with another person discussing something over a coffee or whatever. You get to the point where a sketch or some math is required. One of you pulls out used envelope and the sketch or calculations are made o

Gavin Au typed thus:
[nq:1]What is the meaning of "back-of-the-envelope"? I often see "back-of-the-envelope calculations" in some sentences.[/nq]
It means that something has been worked out very quickly, and without expecting the answer to be perfectly accurate. All the calculations can be done on the back of an envelope - you don't need any more paper as the calculation will be approximat

Thank you very much!!! =)
"Spehro Pefhany" (Email Removed) ¦b¶l¥ó ¤¤¼¶¼g...

In our last episode,
(Email Removed),
the lovely and talented david56
broadcast on alt.usage.english:
[nq:1]Gavin Au typed thus:[/nq]
[nq:2]What is the meaning of "back-of-the-envelope"? I often see "back-of-the-envelope calculations" in some sentences.[/nq]
[nq:1]It means that something has been worked out very quickly, and without expecting the answer to be perfectly accu

Thank you very much!!! =)
"david56" (Email Removed) ¦b¶l¥ó
¤¤¼¶¼g...

[nq:2]What is the meaning of "back-of-the-envelope"? I often see "back-of-the-envelope calculations" in some sentences.[/nq]
This is used by people who either do not know
the words improvised or impromptu, or who
fear their use will be considered snobbish.

Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada)

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[nq:2]Gavin Au typed thus: It means that something has been ... is "back of a *** packet", which is even smaller.[/nq]
[nq:1]Legend has it that the Gettysburg Address was written on the back of an envelope during the train ride to ... memorize.) I suppose the legend has something to do with the popularity of "back of the envelope" in the US.[/nq]
Since no-one is entirely sure how, exactly,

[nq:1]This is used by people who either do not know the words improvised or impromptu, or who fear their use will be considered snobbish.[/nq]
Do you really believe those words convey the same meaning? They indicate a lack of preparation. The "back-of-the-envelope" calculation is expected to be a reasonable approximation to the correct answer.

The "lack" is that of attention to every

[nq:2]What is the meaning of "back-of-the-envelope"? I often see "back-of-the-envelope calculations" in some sentences.[/nq]
[nq:1]It means that something has been worked out very quickly, and without expecting the answer to be perfectly accurate. All ... the back of an envelope - you don't need any more paper as the calculation will be approximate and quick.[/nq]
Sometimes it has a pejora