Definition of phase of the moon

phase of the moon    

noun

• a metaphorical condition that something depends on. Used when, for example, a printer malfunctions frequently or a bug can't be found in a piece of source code. See also heisenbug.

  Person A: Have you been able to get dupex printing to work on the printer?
  
  Person B: Yeah, but it depends on the phase of the moon.

  • See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.

  Last edited on Nov 11 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.

+	Add a definition for this slang term

Share Tweet E-mail	More info:	Interactive stats:
	R  Related words	Usage Vulgarity SlangMap

Related words

Slang terms with the same meaning

Other terms relating to 'computer slang':
TYSM	Definitions include: acronym for "thank you so much".
flame	Definitions include: This definition is questionable and is pending deletion.
FTR	Definitions include: acronym for "for the record".
astroturfing	Definitions include: the use of paid employees or contractors - or people who otherwise have a stake - to astroturf.
NGL	Definitions include: acronym for "not gonna lie" i.e. "not going to lie".
DM	Definitions include: acronym for "direct message".
OOMF	Definitions include: acronym for "one of my followers".
shmup	Definitions include: abbreviated form of "shoot 'em up".
netiquette	Definitions include: the accepted etiquette on the internet.
bogometer	Definitions include: a metaphorical device that people possess (a la gaydar) that measures how bogus something is.
link rot	Definitions include: the breakage of links on the web as their targets disappear.
zomg	Definitions include: "Oh my God."
loal	Definitions include: used to indicate laughter in text-based communication.
LML	Definitions include: acronym for "licking my lips".
nn	Definitions include: "non-nude".
(show 591 more)

Slang terms with the same root words

Other terms relating to 'moon':
moon	Definitions include: Verb. To reveal one's naked buttocks, usually as an insult or bawdy jest.
moon-bat	Definitions include: a naive person
moon landing	Definitions include: contact between two naked buttocks.
once in a blue moon	Definitions include: very infrequent.
possum moon	Definitions include: a southern U.S.A. slang term for a "harvest moon", yellowish, gold, orange, moon.
scrogging moon	Definitions include: a romantic setting suitable for screwing.
Other terms relating to 'of':
abbreviated piece of nothing	Definitions include: a worthless person.
a bit of how's your father	Definitions include: sexual activity.
about the size of it	Definitions include: a good estimate.
a couple beers short of a six-pack	Definitions include: a little crazy
a few cans short of a six pack	Definitions include: of lower than average intelligence.
a few fries short of a happy meal	Definitions include: "not all there".
afraid of (one's) shadow	Definitions include: skittish.
a grain of *ssault	Definitions include: an amount of violence.
ahead of the curve	Definitions include: having an opinion or belief prior to it becoming common or popular.
a hell of a	Definitions include: an impressive.
a hell of an	Definitions include: an impressive.
all kinds of	Definitions include: many.
all of my yes	Definitions include: an emphatic "yes".
all that and a bag of chips	Definitions include: better than all that.
all that and a bag of Fritos	Definitions include: the best.
(show 346 morehide)
Other terms relating to 'the':
101 scoop, the	Definitions include: the real information or the proof, instruction, the know how, where, when, and why about something or someone.
2-10, the	Definitions include: walking, generally as opposed to driving.
3rd degree, the	Definitions include: interrogation.
3 sheets to the wind	Definitions include: extremely intoxicated
411, the	Definitions include: information.
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.	Definitions include: something you have now is worth more than two things you have just a chance of getting.
about the size of it	Definitions include: a good estimate.
ace in the hole	Definitions include: a secret advantage.
across the board	Definitions include: inclusive.
add fuel to the fire	Definitions include: to make a bad situation worse.
against the clock	Definitions include: with the amount of time left to finish a task rapidly disappearing.
ahead of the curve	Definitions include: having an opinion or belief prior to it becoming common or popular.
aim Archie at the adamant	Definitions include: of a male, to urinate.
ain't no fun when the rabbit got the gun	Definitions include: Someone being butthurt over having something, they do to others regularly, done to the them
a little on the side	Definitions include: secret sexual activity with a person other than one's partner.
(show 1409 morehide)

How common is this slang?

Don't click the following.
I use it	(5)
No longer use it	(1)
Heard it but never used it	(1)
Have never heard it	(6)

How vulgar is this slang?

Average of 10 votes: 23%  (See the most vulgar words.)

Least vulgar

Most vulgar

Your vote: None   (To vote, click the pepper. Vote how vulgar the word is – not how mean it is.)

Least vulgar

Most vulgar

Where is this slang used?

Logged-in users can add themselves to the map. Login, Register, Login instantly with Facebook.

Link to this slang definition

To link to this term in a web page or blog, insert the following.

<a href="http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/phase-of-the-moon">phase of the moon</a>

To link to this term in a wiki such as Wikipedia, insert the following.

[http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/phase-of-the-moon phase of the moon]

Some wikis use a different format for links, so be sure to check the documentation.