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Big Red Switch


Big Red Switch: [IBM] n. The power switch on a computer, esp. the
   `Emergency Pull' switch on an IBM mainframe or the power switch
   on an IBM PC where it really is large and red.  "This !@%$%
   bitty box is hung again; time to hit the Big Red Switch."
   Sources at IBM report that, in tune with the company's passion for
   TLAs, this is often abbreviated as `BRS' (this has also
   become established on FidoNet and in the PC clone world).  It
   is alleged that the emergency pull switch on an IBM 360/91 actually
   fired a non-conducting bolt into the main power feed; the BRSes on
   more recent mainframes physically drop a block into place so that
   they can't be pushed back in.  People get fired for pulling them,
   especially inappropriately (see also molly-guard).  Compare
   power cycle, three-finger salute, 120 reset; see
   also scram switch.