Since you can't search google groups for ||=. I have put this thread together with links to all the threads about ||= from Comp.lang.ruby. The next time someone asks about ||=, have them search for "Or Equal" PLEASE DON'T RESPOND TO THIS THREAD (we've heard enough) Please do rate it. Threads from Google groups ruby: Please explain nuances of ||= http://groups.google.com/group/comp.lang.ruby/browse_thread/thread/cb531a6aa93f43b7/763899255643ccac#763899255643ccac The ||= assignment operator http://groups.google.com/group/comp.lang.ruby/browse_thread/thread/47f273f6ab57303e/291babfc79b4b822 http://groups.google.com/group/comp.lang.ruby/browse_thread/thread/47f273f6ab57303e/bc12010ecc8b6c61?lnk=st&q=#bc12010ecc8b6c61 What does "||=" mean? http://groups.google.com/group/rubyonrails-talk/browse_thread/thread/5dd4563099f97113/afc2a425523cbcef?lnk=st&q=#afc2a425523cbcef Rick DeNatale x ||= y, Redux http://talklikeaduck.denhaven2.com/articles/2008/04/26/x-y-redux David A Black A short-circuit (||=) edge case http://dablog.rubypal.com/2008/3/25/a-short-circuit-edge-case usenet posts referred to in the google links above http://blade.nagaokaut.ac.jp/cgi-bin/scat.rb/ruby/ruby-talk/297185 http://blade.nagaokaut.ac.jp/cgi-bin/scat.rb/ruby/ruby-talk/297145 SEO stuff to get y'all here. OrEqual Or-Equal "OR EQUAL" double-pipe equal pipe-pipe equal pipe pipe equal