some random X
= S =
SOS
sorcerer's apprentice mode n.
[from Goethe's "Der
Zauberlehrling" via Paul Dukas's "L'apprenti sorcier" in the film
"Fantasia".] A bug in a protocol where, under some
circumstances, the receipt of a message causes multiple messages to
be sent, each of which, when received, triggers the same bug. Used
esp. of such behavior caused by bounce message loops in
email software. Compare broadcast storm, network meltdown, software laser, ARMM.
--The Jargon File version 4.3.1, ed. ESR, autonoded by rescdsk.