Re: GNOME Foundation elections!

[Alan Cox <alan lxorguk ukuu org uk>]

> > Slate is such a funny word.  
> > At least to this mexican.
> 
> What does it mean ?

its a type of rock. It is sometimes used for roofing.

We take a whole pile of things from it
'slate blue' 'slate grey' colours

Primarily however because it easily splits into thin layers (hence the roofing)
it was also used as a writing surface when paper was expensive. 

I can imagine several ways it came to be used for the election thing but 
britannica.com is down so I cant check