from
Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)
bag on the side
n.
[prob. originally related to a colostomy bag] An extension to an
established hack that is supposed to add some functionality to the
original. Usually derogatory, implying that the original was being
overextended and should have been thrown away, and the new product is
ugly, inelegant, or bloated. Also v. phrase, "to hang a bag on the
side [of]". "C++? That's just a bag on the side of C ...." "They want
me to hang a bag on the side of the accounting system."
from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
bag on the side
An extension to an established hack that is supposed to add
some functionality to the original. Usually derogatory,
implying that the original was being overextended and should
have been thrown away, and the new product is ugly, inelegant,
or bloated. Also "to hang a bag on the side [of]". "C++?
That's just a bag on the side of C." "They want me to hang a
bag on the side of the accounting system."