DeScribeS a Slow, difficult, and diSguSting proceSS. FirSt populariSed by a famouS quote about the difficulty of getting work done under one of IBM' SmainframeOSeS. "Well, you *could* write a C compiler in COBOL, but it would be like kicking dead whaleS down the beach." [Jargon File] (1997-12-23)