precedence lossage: /pre's*-dens los'*j/ n. [C programmers]
Coding error in an expression due to unexpected grouping of
arithmetic or logical operators by the compiler. Used esp. of
certain common coding errors in C due to the nonintuitively low
precedence levels of `&', `|', `^', `<<', and `>>' (for this reason,
experienced C programmers deliberately forget the language's
baroque precedence hierarchy and parenthesize defensively). Can
always be avoided by suitable use of parentheses. LISP fans enjoy
pointing out that this can't happen in _their_ favorite language,
which eschews precedence entirely, requiring one to use explicit
parentheses everywhere. See aliasing bug, memory leak, memory
smash, smash the stack, fandango on core, overrun screw.
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