noun the practice of chalking icons on walls, etc, to indicate an area where a wireless Internet connection may be made for free. Coined in June 2002 by Matt Jones, a London-based 'information architect', as a play on 'wardialing' (a computer-directed assault by telephone). 'Warchalking' is based on the system of symbols used by UK tramps and beggars, first recorded in 1849, and developed by US hobos during the Depression. The three basic symbols are ）（ /open node/, ⃝ /closed node/ and Ⓦ /wep [wired equivalent privacy] node/ UK, 2002