BogoMIPS

from Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)

BogoMIPS
 /bo'go.mips/, n.

   The number of million times a second a processor can do absolutely
   nothing. The {Linux} OS measures BogoMIPS at startup in order to
   calibrate some soft timing loops that will be used later on; details
   at the BogoMIPS mini-HOWTO. The name Linus chose, of course, is an
   ironic comment on the uselessness of all other {MIPS} figures.

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

BogoMips

   <unit> (From "bogus", "{MIPS}") The timing unit of the {Linux}
   {kernel}.

   A BogoMips is an unscientific measurement of {processor} speed
   made by the {Linux} {kernel} when it {boots}, to calibrate an
   internal {busy-loop}.

   BogoMips MiniHowto
   (http://metalab.unc.edu/LDP/HOWTO/mini/BogoMips.html).

   (1999-05-06)

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