Skip to main content
Dictionary
Store
Blog
World
Help
Advertise
Chat
System Status
Information Collection Notice
Trademark Concerns
reCAPTCHA Privacy
Terms of Service
reCAPTCHA Terms
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Report a Bug
Data Request
Contact Us
Security
DMCA
© 1999–2026 Urban Dictionary ®
Mugs
Tees
Hoodies
Pro Customization
Create unique products with your own words and definitions
Preview
Personalize Your Design
Your Word
Your Definition
Nonsense technobabble used in a production context. Reticulating splines started off as an in-joke at Maxis and grew to fame with the widespread popularity of The Sims. While it does have a "real" meaning, this definition isn't actually correct in the context of its use. It's really a programming joke. Reticulating splines is essentially filler. Don't want to describe what's holding up the program? It's reticulating splines. Why isn't the Internet working? The splines aren't reticulated. Heck, don't want to explain your calculus assignment? We're reticulating splines this week. See also processor gremlins for the computer hardware equivalent.
Text fits
Save
Cancel