fear and loathing

( n.)

   [from Hunter S. Thompson] A state inspired by the prospect of dealing
   with  certain  real-world  systems  and  standards  that  are totally
   {brain-damaged}  but  ubiquitous  --  Intel  8086s,  or  {COBOL},  or
   {EBCDIC},  or any {IBM} machine bigger than a workstation. "Ack! They
   want  PCs  to  be  able  to talk to the AI machine. Fear and loathing
   time!"

[glossary]
[Reference(s) to this entry by made by: {Blue Glue}{COBOL}{EBCDIC}{eighty-column mind}{IBM}{JCL}{like kicking dead whales down the beach}{mess-dos}{Real World}]