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
"Hanging Chad" became popularized from the 2000 presidential race between George W. Bush and Al Gore. A "chad" is the fragments of paper left over when you punch a hole in a card. Voters in Florida at the time used Votomatic style punched card ballots. So a "hanging chad" is when you punch a hole in the card, and it doesn't punch the whole way leaving a little piece dangling. A "pregnant chad" is when you attempt to punch a hole, but it just leaves a bulge and doesn't actually punch through. The controversy came about when "hanging chads" and "pregnant chads" weren't counted by the machine. People's votes weren't counted. Imagine if you take those tests where you have to fill out the circle completely with a number 2 pencil. But you didn't totally fill the circle out and your answer was marked wrong.
Text fits
Save
Cancel