User:Reticulated Spline/splines

Question: What in the name of sanity is a reticulated spline?

Mathematically speaking, a spline is a function defined as a set of polynomial sub-functions knotted together. They're used to model smooth surfaces mathematically, and are of particular use in computation. To 'reticulate' something is to split it up in such a way that it resembles a net.

So, putting two and two together with our sights set on four, we can say that a reticulated spline is a piecewise-defined curve that's been split up into a network of sections. Yes, those two processes do seem rather diametric, don't they?

Setting aside pseudo-mathematical pomposity, the actual origin of the phrase (in the form reticulating splines) is the loading screen of SimCity 2000. Word of God from Sims creator Will Wright says that the phrase was thrown in as it sounds complicated and 'computer-y'. You'll find it popping up in other titles made by Maxis, as well as other suitably geeky places.