elephantine
Used of programs or systems that are both conspicuous hogs (owing perhaps to
poor design founded on brute force and ignorance) and exceedingly hairy in
source form. An elephantine program may be functional and even friendly, but (as
in the old joke about being in bed with an elephant) it's tough to have around
all the same (and, like a pachyderm, difficult to maintain). In extreme cases,
hackers have been known to make trumpeting sounds or perform expressive
proboscatory mime at the mention of the offending program. Usage: semi-humorous.
Compare "has the elephant nature" and the somewhat more pejorative monstrosity.
See also second-system effect and baroque.
[Jargon File]
Nearby terms:
elegant « element « elephant « elephantine »
elevator controller » ELF » ELI
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