The Final Jeopardy round on Thursday, July 4, 2024, presented contestants with a challenging question in the category “Tech Talk.”
The clue provided was: “In 1992, Jean Polly told new web users to do this & later explained they ‘need some skill … never know if there are going to be sharks.’”
What is Surfing the Internet?
Jean Polly’s advice to early internet users to “surf the net” has become a staple term in the vocabulary of digital communication, reflecting both the adventurous spirit and the inherent risks of exploring the vast, uncharted waters of the internet. Her metaphor likened the internet to a sea, where skill and caution are essential to navigate potential dangers.
Jean Polly, a librarian from New York, is credited with popularizing the term “surf the internet” in the early 1990s. The term captured the essence of internet use at the time—navigating through a vast and sometimes unpredictable digital space. Polly’s analogy to surfing emphasized the need for agility and alertness, suggesting that, just as a surfer must stay vigilant to the changing conditions and potential hazards of the ocean, an internet user must be cautious and skilled in navigating the digital world.
Her comment about never knowing if there are going to be sharks highlighted the potential dangers lurking within the internet, such as phishing scams, viruses, and misleading information. This comparison is particularly poignant today as internet users continue to face various cybersecurity threats. Polly’s metaphorical expression and the subsequent adoption of the term underscore the blend of skill and caution required to effectively and safely use the internet. Her insightful analogy not only enriched internet terminology but also shaped the perceptions of millions of users who ventured into the digital age.