The word “chad” refers to the small pieces of paper that are produced when holes are punched in a sheet, particularly in the context of punch card systems or voting ballots. In a broader context, “chad” gained notoriety during the 2000 U.S. presidential election, where the clarity of punched holes on ballots became a significant issue in the vote counting process. Additionally, in informal usage, “chad” can also refer to a young man, particularly one who is perceived as being self-assured or has a particular lifestyle.
