broken arrow

from Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)

broken arrow
 n.

   [IBM] The error code displayed on line 25 of a 3270 terminal (or a PC
   emulating a 3270) for various kinds of protocol violations and
   "unexpected" error conditions (including connection to a {down}
   computer). On a PC, simulated with `->/_', with the two center
   characters overstruck.

   Note: to appreciate this term fully, it helps to know that "broken
   arrow" is also military jargon for an accident involving nuclear
   weapons....

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

broken arrow

   <communications> The error code displayed on line 25 of a {IBM
   3270} {terminal} (or a {terminal emulator} emulating a 3270)
   for various kinds of {protocol} violations and "unexpected"
   error conditions (including connection to a {down} computer).
   On a PC, simulated with "->/_", with the two centre characters
   overstruck.

   "Broken arrow" is also military jargon for an accident
   involving nuclear weapons.

   [{Jargon File}]

   (1995-02-07)

from U.S. Gazetteer (1990)

Broken Arrow, OK (city, FIPS 9050)
  Location: 36.03752 N, 95.78718 W
  Population (1990): 58043 (20420 housing units)
  Area: 104.5 sq km (land), 1.4 sq km (water)
  Zip code(s): 74011, 74012, 74014

from U.S. Gazetteer Places (2000)

Broken Arrow, OK -- U.S. city in Oklahoma
   Population (2000):    74859
   Housing Units (2000): 27085
   Land area (2000):     44.988256 sq. miles (116.519043 sq. km)
   Water area (2000):    0.609260 sq. miles (1.577976 sq. km)
   Total area (2000):    45.597516 sq. miles (118.097019 sq. km)
   FIPS code:            09050
   Located within:       Oklahoma (OK), FIPS 40
   Location:             36.036305 N, 95.783616 W
   ZIP Codes (1990):     74011 74012 74014
   Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
   Headwords:
    Broken Arrow, OK
    Broken Arrow