Odd message during boot sequence

[Isaac Wingfield]

As text streams by during the boot process, I have noticed a message that
mentions a "thermal assist unit" and "jiffies".

Now, I'm not at all familiar with Linux, but I've been using and designing
computers since the days of core-memory minicomputers and eight-bit micros.

I have never before run across either of those terms, anywhere.

Could someone provide some enlightenment?

Isaac