FAPP

English

Etymology

Popularized by physicist John Stewart Bell.

Prepositional phrase

FAPP

  1. (philosophy, physics) Abbreviation of for all practical purposes.
    • 1988, John Stewart Bell, Speakable and Unspeakable in Quantum Mechanics‎, Cambridge University Press:
      Is it not good to know what follows from what, even if it is not necessary FAPP? Suppose for example that quantum mechanics were found to resist precise formulation. Suppose that when formulation beyond FAPP is attempted, we find an unmovable finger obstinately pointing outside the subject, to the mind of the observer, to the Hindu scriptures, to God, or even only Gravitation? Would that not be very, very interesting?"
    • 2011, Bruce Rosenblum, Fred Kuttner, Quantum Enigma‎, page 206:
      Going beyond FAPP to interpret quantum theory is today a growth industry, and a contentious field, though a very small fraction of physicists are involved.
    • 2019, David Yeats, A Universe Full of Magical Things‎, page 45:
      Newtonian physics works fine, FAPP, at the macroscopic level, say Rosenblum & Kuttner […]
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