An ambiguous phrase to describe illogical or unexpected computational behavior that may or may not be caused by some level of sentience be it maintained within the system or at the PEBKAC layer.
Sally couldn't explain why her computer would not work, then as soon as she called IT the machine started working again. IT blamed it on the ghost in the machine
by midstoveilan November 18, 2013
Get the the ghost in the machine mug.When software or hardware is made to complete a specific function, but a small percentage of the tasks completed have an unexpected result which cannot be explained.
I launched the game a million times through that shortcut, but this time it didn't launch for some reason... must be a ghost in the machine.
by daidalus January 1, 2014
Get the ghost in the machine mug.A phantom sleeper virus installed on every single PC when it is made. Exactly 2 years after you activate your new PC, the Ghost in the Machine awakens and takes over, slowly destroying it until it no longer turns on.
Symptoms of a Ghost in the Machine include: flickering, forgetfulness, random restarts, a frozen screen comorbid with a persistent hourglass, and random deletion of important files. You may also encounter multiple "errors" and be asked to solve problems you don't know how to solve. Customer support usually pleads ignorance when you call their 1-800 number.
Symptoms of a Ghost in the Machine include: flickering, forgetfulness, random restarts, a frozen screen comorbid with a persistent hourglass, and random deletion of important files. You may also encounter multiple "errors" and be asked to solve problems you don't know how to solve. Customer support usually pleads ignorance when you call their 1-800 number.
Teacher: "Where is your homework?"
Student: "The Ghost in the Machine spooked it and I can't find it now."
Student: "The Ghost in the Machine spooked it and I can't find it now."
by BethanyGM February 7, 2010
Get the Ghost in the Machine mug.It was an awkward elevator ride from the 12th to 18th floor when the boss got on with me and the ghost in the machine.
by AbuEm July 10, 2023
Get the Ghost in the Machine mug.