The word “slot” dates back to the late fourteenth century and refers to the hollow on the breastbone or base of the throat. Its meaning is not entirely clear. It may have originated in Old French, but that’s not certain. An alternate term for “slot” is Old Norse slod. The modern meaning of slot dates from the 1880s. Slot machines are popular, especially in casinos. Their history is not fully clear, but many people are attracted to their enticing appeal.

Modern slot machines are programmed into computers and are more advanced than their predecessors. They are also more flexible because the size of their reels no longer limits the number of possible outcomes or jackpot amounts. Old-fashioned machines featured symbols that represented various objects and even multiple ones. In comparison, modern computer-powered machines can have up to 20 symbols on a single reel. These modern slots also offer more than one bonus feature. The more bonus features a slot machine offers, the higher the chance of a player winning.

In hockey, a slot is a rectangular area that extends towards the blue line. The fourth position in a flying display, a slot can help a team gain advantage over the opponent’s defender. It is cognate with the German Schloss and is related to the verb sleutana. The meaning of slot varies depending on the context. Historically, the word “slot” has been used for both slots and slotsters.