To add a bit more context, it’s been used in the tech industry for at least 20 years, if not more.
There doesn’t seem to be too much actual proper etymological documentation on the first usage or history… as you say, it most likely derives from ordering something, and not getting it, and being left with only a paper invoice, from back when such things were mailed or faxed…
…it may have derived from the old layaway process retail stores used to do: you order and pay for something upfront, they hand you a voucher, and when they get the product, they hold it in inventory for you, as opposed to putting it on the sales floor for general purchase by anyone, and then you exchange the voucher for the item.
appreciate the consideration and i assumed it was probably industry jargon, i just found the title to be clickbait and wanted to address that in my disappointed summary after searching the article for those answers :p
To add a bit more context, it’s been used in the tech industry for at least 20 years, if not more.
There doesn’t seem to be too much actual proper etymological documentation on the first usage or history… as you say, it most likely derives from ordering something, and not getting it, and being left with only a paper invoice, from back when such things were mailed or faxed…
…it may have derived from the old layaway process retail stores used to do: you order and pay for something upfront, they hand you a voucher, and when they get the product, they hold it in inventory for you, as opposed to putting it on the sales floor for general purchase by anyone, and then you exchange the voucher for the item.
But that’s just a guess.
appreciate the consideration and i assumed it was probably industry jargon, i just found the title to be clickbait and wanted to address that in my disappointed summary after searching the article for those answers :p