sea anchor

n : a canvas covered frame that floats behind a vessel; prevents

drifting or maintains the heading into a wind [syn: {drogue}]

boat anchor

1. Like {doorstop} but more severe; implies that the offending

hardware is irreversibly dead or useless. "That was a working

motherboard once. One lightning strike later, instant boat

anchor!"

2. A person who just takes up space.

3. Obsolete but still working hardware, especially when used

of an old S100-bus hobbyist system; originally a term of

annoyance, but became more and more affectionate as the

hardware became more and more obsolete.

[{Jargon File}]