the ghost in the machine

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

the ghost in the machine by midstoveilan November 18, 2013

ghost in the machine 

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.

ghost in the machine by daidalus January 1, 2014

Ghost in the Machine 

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.

Teacher: "Where is your homework?"
Student: "The Ghost in the Machine spooked it and I can't find it now."

Ghost in the Machine by BethanyGM February 7, 2010

Ghost in the Machine 

An unwitnessed fart left in an elevator for the next rider.

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.

Ghost in the Machine by AbuEm July 10, 2023