I generally hear Linux users describe technology or software as "bleeding edge," not "cutting edge." What's the difference between the phrases supposed to be? I vaguely have the impression that "bleeding" is even more out on the edge than cutting, because bleeding is the effect of cutting and an effect happens after a cause. Also, "cutting edge" is more a common colloquialism used everywhere.

"Cutting edge" means the most advanced stuff that's like ... really good. "Bleeding edge" means even more the most advanced stuff, but like ... maybe a little too advanced with painful kinks to be worked out yet.

For example, the latest GPU card is cutting edge technology. But the beta version of software 'x' is on the bleeding edge as it may cause GPFs, lock-ups, etc.... The Fedora distro used be called a 'bleeding edge' OS. And the LTS versions like Centos/Scientific were stable. Current Fedora seems much more stable than it used to be.

Mmhmm, this is what I thought. You can say accurately that Debian Sid is bleeding-edge, but probably that Debian Testing is only cutting edge.

I always heard "cutting edge" is essentially running just ahead of the blade of "latest and greatest" while "bleeding edge" is risking a sharp stumble.

Bleeding edge implies to me just short of being still in beta, still bordering experimental. Cutting edge, newest, but no long experimental.

A fine distinction, maybe, but a distinction nonetheless.

For example, software developers might be encouraged to download and test a not-yet-released version of a system ... specifically to be "beta testers" of that system, looking for the last round of bugs. That's "bleeding edge." And the developers, knowing this, will "deliberately push the envelope." Poking in the weeds at the very outer edges, looking for another land mine.

Because, everyone knows what otherwise would happen. You finally release the thing, and, even before you've finished your first glass of champagne at the "release party," the report comes in that "the very first 'actual user' who installed it" just smashed into a wall. So it goes ...

Bleeding-edge specifically means high-risk. Cutting-edge doesn’t necessary mean that (although it can).