Hacker News Reader

>Had to use a schtick, like in the old days.

What is that? Google's not helping.

usually people use that word when they are suggesting "that's someones schtick" which is like their habit or what they are known for.

Like trump's schtick is getting people riled up

Uhh that’s clearly not what it means here though which is why I asked.

Stick, written weirdly.

No, it's Yiddish parlance for an act, gimmick or commonly employed routine.

I read it as "stick" as well. Like how people would use a broom stick to press the 'test' button on classic smoke detectors.

(Admittedly, I have no idea if the Nest version has a similar test)

That makes no sense in this context. Typo or dictation error (stick -> schtick) makes far more sense.