from
Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)
crash and burn
vi.,n.
A spectacular crash, in the mode of the conclusion of the car-chase
scene in the movie Bullitt and many subsequent imitators (compare {die
horribly}). The construction crash-and-burn machine is reported for a
computer used exclusively for alpha or {beta} testing, or reproducing
bugs (i.e., not for development). The implication is that it wouldn't
be such a disaster if that machine crashed, since only the testers
would be inconvenienced.
from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
crash and burn
<jargon> A spectacular crash, in the mode of the conclusion of
the car-chase scene in the movie "Bullitt" and many subsequent
imitators (compare {die horribly}). A {Sun-3} {display
screen} losing the flyback transformer and lightning strikes
on {VAX-11/780} backplanes are notable crash and burn
generators.
The construction "crash-and-burn machine" is reported for a
computer used exclusively for alpha or {beta} testing, or
reproducing bugs (i.e. not for development). The implication
is that it wouldn't be such a disaster if that machine
crashed, since only the testers would be inconvenienced.
[{Jargon File}]
(1996-02-22)