"obvious" requirements

[Andrew Haley]

Kelley Cook writes:
 > Matt Kraii wrote:
 > >OK to commit the following?
 > ...
 > >  
 > >  <p>Also note that fixes for obvious typos in ChangeLog files, docs,
 > >  web pages, comments and similar stuff need not be approved.  Just
 > >! check in the fix.  We don't want to get overly anal about checkin
 > >! policies.</p>
 > >  
 > >  <p>When you have checked in a patch exactly as it has been approved,
 > >  you do not need to tell that to people -- including the approver.
 > >--- 135,142 ----
 > >  
 > >  <p>Also note that fixes for obvious typos in ChangeLog files, docs,
 > >  web pages, comments and similar stuff need not be approved.  Just
 > >! check in the fix and copy it to <code>gcc-patches</code>.  We don't
 > >! want to get overly anal about checkin policies.</p>
 > >  
 > >  <p>When you have checked in a patch exactly as it has been approved,
 > >  you do not need to tell that to people -- including the approver.
 > 
 > Maybe, I'm just being anal, but as long as your touching this section
 > might it be prudent to change the vulgarity "anal" to the less tacky 
 > "picky"?

"anal" is not a vulgarity, but a reference to Sigmund Freud's ideas on
anality, first published in 1908. Freud wrote that people with "anal
character" were meticulous, parsimonious, and obstinate.

It is wholly wrong to denigrate the use of this word when it is used
correctly, as it is here.

Andrew.

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a940211.html