Akademik

n.

Attempting to solve a mechanical or electrical problem by hitting or kicking the failed device.

There was a time when all that was required to use the office copier, printer or fax machine was the ability to fish out paper jams and a knack for percussive maintenance — known in layman's terms as a good hard thump.

— Adam Turner, "Multi-function Devices 'present Untapped Opportunities'," Sydney Morning Herald, July 30, 2002

The plan had been to let the media and various hangers-on go out for a ride in the big white six-seater, but technical woes kept the number of five-minute tours down to five out of more than 40 that were scheduled.

Early trips reported trouble that seemed to be fixed by using a wrench to apply repeated doses of percussive maintenance.

— Alex Law, "Benz touts hydrogen-based fuel cell," The Toronto Star, May 18, 1996