The word “slot” has many meanings, including a flat, wide depression, aperture, perforation, or slit, in which something slides. A slot can also be a deer track, as a bloodhound will follow the path of a wounded deer. The word itself dates back to the late 14c., but the term “slot machine” is not documented until the 1880s. The slot is not an uncommon feature of old coins or slots, so if you’re unsure of its origin, try searching for synonyms in Wikipedia.

Defendants can also take shots in the slot, with a high-pitched slap shot being an ideal position for this type of shot. In addition, a center or winger can put his stick out in front of the goalie to redirect the shot. Some players even take slap shots that travel at over 100 mph, so the goalie needs to react lightning-fast to the puck. Regardless of the type of shot, a well-placed one-timer from the high slot is a game-changing opportunity.

As the name implies, a slot is a grammatical construct with specific meaning. It can accommodate multiple morphemes in a single statement. A slot can be a job opening, an interior opening in a copy desk, or a specific assignment. In the newspaper industry, it is the chief copy editor’s job. In the aviation industry, it is a position authorized by an airport’s air-traffic authority.