the literature

from Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)
the literature
 n.

   Computer-science journals and other publications, vaguely gestured at
   to answer a question that the speaker believes is {trivial}. Thus, one
   might answer an annoying question by saying "It's in the literature."
   Oppose {Knuth}, which has no connotation of triviality.
    

[email protected]