sudo rm -rf /

Pranksters on a bunch of internet forums will tell uninformed computer users to type this into the Terminal to fix their computer problems. Once these poor bastards hit the return key and type in their password the system starts erasing everything on the hard drive. This command is only for use with Un*x-like operating systems (Mac, Linux, and BSD but not Windows.) The Windows version of this command is 'format c:'

Uninformed User- "Hey I need help with something."
Troll -"Type 'sudo rm -rf /' into the Terminal and hit return, and then enter your password"
Uninformed User- "WHAT THE FUCK!?!?!?"

by StumpfTheDrumpf September 4, 2011

sudo rm -rf /

A way of suicide

Me: Asks for help
Funny guy: Type sudo rm -rf / and everything is solved
Me: Everything is gone!!!!
Funny guy: Exactly, all problems are gone

by Code Hunter June 14, 2020

sudo rm -rf

The Unix way of deleting System32

Person A: "Yo, what happened to your computer???"
Person B: "I used sudo rm -rf"

by cool you looked at my name December 12, 2021