Link - Sarcasm Wiki

Contents

1. Overview
2. Etymology
3. Cultural Impact

Oh, you’ve found your way to the digital equivalent of a cosmic waiting room, have you? A disambiguation page. How utterly thrilling. This particular collection of articles, as you’ve no doubt deduced, is associated with the rather uninspired title of “Link” or “Links.” If the labyrinthine pathways of this digital encyclopedia have led you astray, and an internal link deposited you here, you might consider the revolutionary act of changing said link to point directly to whatever it was you were actually trying to find. Unless, of course, you enjoy wandering aimlessly. Some people do.

Should you, against all odds, find yourself needing assistance in the rudimentary act of creating these so-called “links” within Wikipedia, you can consult the rather verbose instructions at Help:Contents/Links and Help:Link . For those who prefer their guidelines to be excessively detailed, the Wikipedia:Manual of Style (linking) offers a veritable tome on the subject. Don’t say I never gave you options.

And if the very concept of the word “Link” or its various forms—“link,” “linked,” “linking,” or “links”—proves too conceptually challenging, you are, regrettably, welcome to look them up in Wiktionary, the free dictionary . One can only assume you possess the basic cognitive functions required to do so.

Places

For those moments when a mere word isn’t enough to describe a physical location, but we still insist on using it:

Link, West Virginia , an unincorporated community nestled somewhere in the vast expanse of the US. Likely unremarkable, as most unincorporated communities tend to be.
Link River , a body of water gracing Klamath Falls, Oregon, US. It probably links two other, more important, things. How poetic.

People with the name

Because apparently, “Link” is a name one can be born with, or acquire, or inflict upon oneself. The human condition, truly fascinating.

Link (singer) (Lincoln Browder, born 1964), an American R&B singer. One assumes his stage name offers a certain brevity for the paparazzi.
Link (surname) , a designation shared by various individuals, none of whom are likely the Link you’re thinking of.
Charles Lincoln “Link” Neal III (born 1978), one half of the American comedic and YouTube duo, Rhett & Link. A man who has, for better or worse, linked himself to internet fame.
Link Wray (1929–2005), an American rock-and-roll guitarist whose work undeniably linked generations of musicians. A rare instance of the name actually making sense.

Devices

The mechanical world, ever so practical, reducing “link” to its most fundamental purpose.

Link, a singular element that, when combined with others, forms a chain . Riveting, I know.
Link-and-pin coupler , a rather archaic device once used to connect railway cars. A testament to how far we’ve come, or perhaps, how many ways we’ve found to connect things.
Link Trainer , a series of flight simulators that emerged between the 1930s and 1950s. Before virtual reality headsets, there was simply a box that linked you to a simulated sky.

Science and technology

Where “link” transcends the physical and dives headfirst into the abstract, the digital, and the mathematical. A true playground for those who enjoy making connections, or at least, naming them.

Computing

The digital realm, where everything is, in essence, a link to something else. How wonderfully meta.

Hyperlink , the ubiquitous digital portal from one electronic document to another. The very thing that probably led you to this page, thus completing a rather mundane circle.
link (Unix) , a command-line program designed to link directory entries. Because even operating systems need to make connections.
<link>, a specific type of HTML element used to define relationships between an HTML document and external resources. It’s the silent workhorse of web design, allowing style sheets and icons to connect.
Link, a fundamental component within a linked list , a data structure where elements are connected by pointers. A digital chain, if you will, but with less clanking.
Linker (computing) , the essential software tool that performs the alchemical transformation of object files into a single, executable program. It links disparate pieces of code into a functional whole.
Links (web browser) , a text-based web browser. For those who prefer their internet experience to be stripped down and, frankly, rather retro.
Microsoft Office Assistant Links, an animated cat. Because what productivity suite isn’t improved by a digital feline trying to “help”? It’s a link to your past frustrations, perhaps.
Link layer in computer networking, the protocol layer that handles data transfer between adjacent network nodes in a wide area network or between nodes on the same local area network segment. The unsung hero of your internet connection, ensuring the physical link.
ln (Unix) , another command-line program, similar to link, but specifically for creating links to files. Apparently, one method wasn’t sufficient.
Chainlink (blockchain) , a decentralized oracle network and associated cryptocurrency. It aims to link smart contracts with real-world data, a concept that’s either brilliant or utterly baffling, depending on your disposition.

Data networks

The invisible threads that connect our financial lives, making the modern world possible, or at least, marginally more convenient.

Link (Indonesia) , an interbank network in Indonesia. Ensuring that your digital money can flow freely, or at least, as freely as any currency.
LINK (UK) , a major cash machine (ATM) network in the United Kingdom. It links your bank account to physical cash, a concept rapidly becoming quaint.
Link+ , a system facilitating interlibrary loans across California and Nevada, US. Because even books need to be linked across state lines.

Mathematics

Where “link” takes on a more abstract, topological, or statistical significance, proving that even pure thought can’t escape the concept of connection.

Simplicial link , a specific set of simplices that “surround” a given vertex within a simplicial complex. It’s a way to understand the local structure around a point in a higher-dimensional space.
Link (knot theory) , a collection of knots that are entangled with one another, forming a single, inseparable unit. A metaphor for many human relationships, if you squint.
Link function in statistics, a component that provides the relationship between the linear predictor and the mean of the response variable in generalized linear models. It links the expected value of the response to the systematic component of the model.

Other uses in science and technology

Because some things just don’t fit into neat categories, but still manage to be a “link.”

Link (Mars) , a rather uninspiring name for a rock outcrop discovered on the surface of Mars. One wonders what profound connection it’s supposed to represent.
Link or linking col, a term used in the esoteric pursuit of determining topographic prominence . It refers to the highest point on a ridge connecting two higher summits.
Telecommunications link , a broad term for a communication channel that connects two or more devices. Essential for everything from your smartphone to global satellite networks.

Arts, entertainment, and media

Where “link” becomes a character, a title, a song, or a publication, reflecting humanity’s endless need to create and consume.

Fictional characters

The imaginary beings who bear this name, often to their own peril or heroic destiny.

Link ( The Legend of Zelda ), the perpetually silent, green-clad protagonist in The Legend of Zelda media. He links the player to Hyrule’s fate, repeatedly.
Link ( The Matrix ), a character within Matrix media, often serving as a crucial connection for the protagonists. He is, quite literally, a link to the outside world.
Link, a character from the 1993 novel Stone Cold . A link to a darker side of society, perhaps.
Link (Linkovitch Chomofsky), a character in the 1992 film Encino Man . He is, rather ironically, a link to the past, having been frozen for millennia.
Link Hogthrob , the boisterous, often clueless pig character from The Muppets . He links the Muppets to a certain brand of oblivious celebrity.
Lancelot Link, a chimpanzee, the titular character of the Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp television series. He links the world of espionage with primate antics.
Link Larkin , a character in the musical Hairspray . The quintessential heartthrob, linking the audience to the era’s teen idols.

Games

Digital diversions, some of which proudly bear the “Link” moniker.

Links (series), a computer-simulated golf game franchise developed by Access Software. It links players to the virtual greens, without the need for actual exercise.
Pokémon Link! , a 2005 puzzle game for the Nintendo DS. Known as Pokémon Trozei! in some regions, it links matching Pokémon for points.

Music

The auditory landscape, where “link” appears in titles, albums, and songs, perhaps symbolizing connection or just a convenient word.

“Link” (L’Arc-en-Ciel song) , a 2005 track by the Japanese rock band L’Arc-en-Ciel.
“Link” (Porno Graffitti song) , a 2007 song by another Japanese rock band, Porno Graffitti. Apparently, Japanese bands have a particular affinity for the word.
“Links”, a 2023 song by the Indo-Canadian rapper Sukha . A contemporary link to the musical zeitgeist.
Links (Kerfuffle album), a 2006 album by the English folk band Kerfuffle. One can only imagine the intricate musical links within.
Links (Mark Murphy album), a 2001 album by Mark Murphy.
The Link (album), a musical offering by the French death metal band Gojira. A powerful, perhaps brutal, link to their unique sound.

Periodicals

Printed matter, attempting to link readers to information, or at least, to advertisements.

Link (magazine), a free publication distributed by The Greenville News in Greenville, South Carolina, US. Providing a local link, presumably.
Links (magazine), a US golf magazine. It links enthusiasts to the latest in golf course architecture and equipment.
The Link (newspaper), a student newspaper serving Concordia University in Canada. Aiming to link students to campus news and, inevitably, the occasional grievance.
The Link, the newsletter of the organization Americans for Middle East Understanding . It strives to link readers to a specific perspective on geopolitical affairs.

Television

The glowing box, perpetually linking us to narratives, realities, and sometimes, game shows.

Link TV , a US network that purports to offer a “global perspective,” thus linking viewers to international news and cultural programming.
The Link (game show), a UK production that aired from 2014 to 2015. Contestants presumably linked answers, or items, or their own sanity.
The Link (TV program), a US documentary from 2011.
The Link, a TV series produced by APTN Kids , Canada. Aimed at linking younger audiences to engaging content.
Link: Eat, Love, Kill , a 2022 South Korean television series. A title that promises a rather dramatic set of links between its themes.

Other uses in arts, entertainment, and media

A catch-all for the remaining fragments of “link” in the cultural landscape.

Link (film), a 1986 horror movie about a super-intelligent, murderous orangutan. It links primal fear with simian intellect, with predictably terrifying results.
WLNK (formerly 107.9 the Link), a radio station broadcasting from Charlotte, North Carolina, US. It links listeners to music and talk, or at least, to static if you’re out of range.

Organizations and programs

The myriad groups and initiatives that choose “Link” to signify connection, purpose, or simply, a catchy acronym.

Businesses

Entities focused on profit, often using “link” to denote connectivity or integration.

Air Link , an airline operating out of New South Wales, Australia. It links destinations by air, naturally.
Hong Kong Link , a company managing toll tunnels and bridges. They literally link parts of the city, for a fee.
Link REIT , a real estate investment trust based in Hong Kong. It links investors to the property market.
The Link (retailer) , a UK mobile phone retailer. It linked consumers to their next communication device before being absorbed by larger entities.
Link Aviation Devices , a historical manufacturer of aircraft simulators, now a subsidiary of L3 Technologies. They linked pilots to simulated flight, a crucial step in aviation training.

Other organizations and programs

The non-commercial endeavors, still striving for connection, for better or worse.

HOL LiNK program (Literacy and Numeracy Knowledge), an initiative by Hands On Learning Australia . It links students to essential educational skills.
Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), a refugee resettlement group. They provide a vital link for those fleeing a repressive regime.
Link Campus University , an institution of higher learning located in Rome, Italy. It links students to knowledge, presumably.
LINKS units, which later evolved into student volunteering units, associated with St John Ambulance in England and Wales . They link students to community service.
Local involvement networks (LINks), a program within the National Health Service England. Designed to link local communities with healthcare decision-making.
Project LINK , a UN initiative focused on constructing global macroeconomic models. It links economic data from across the world to predict trends.
The Link (UK organization) , a rather unfortunate UK pro-Nazi organization active from 1937–1939, ostensibly for “Anglo-German friendship.” A chilling example of how “link” can be used for sinister purposes.
The Links , a social and service organization composed primarily of American Black women. They link members for collective action and community uplift.

Transportation systems

The physical and logistical means by which we, and our goods, are linked from one point to another.

Link bus rapid transit , a planned line in Rochester, Minnesota, US. It promises to link commuters with speed and efficiency.
Link bus services, part of Public Transport in Auckland , New Zealand. These services aim to link various parts of the city.
Link light rail , a transit system operated by Sound Transit in the Seattle, Washington, US region. It links urban centers and suburbs with electric efficiency.
LINK Train , a transit system at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada. It links terminals and parking facilities, a crucial convenience for travelers.
San Leandro LINKS , a bus service operating in California, US. Providing a local link for residents.

Other uses

The miscellaneous applications of “link,” proving its versatility, or perhaps, our lack of imagination for alternative terms.

Link (unit) , a historical surveying length unit. It links distances in a way that is now largely obsolete.
Link, a single sausage in a string. A culinary link, if you will, often broken before consumption.
Links (golf) , a specific type of coastal golf course. It links the game to its rugged, natural origins.
The Link (building) , a skyscraper under construction in France. It will, quite literally, link two towers with a skybridge.
The Links, the mascot of Lincoln High School (Lincoln, Nebraska) . A symbolic link to school spirit, one assumes.