The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):

fat electrons
 n.

    Old-time hacker David Cargill's theory on the causation of computer
    glitches. Your typical electric utility draws its line current out of the
    big generators with a pair of coil taps located near the top of the dynamo.
    When the normal tap brushes get dirty, they take them off line to clean
    them up, and use special auxiliary taps on the bottom of the coil. Now,
    this is a problem, because when they do that they get not ordinary or
    ?thin? electrons, but the fat'n'sloppy electrons that are heavier and so
    settle to the bottom of the generator. These flow down ordinary wires just
    fine, but when they have to turn a sharp corner (as in an
    integrated-circuit via), they're apt to get stuck. This is what causes
    computer glitches. [Fascinating. Obviously, fat electrons must gain mass by
    bogon absorption ?ESR] Compare bogon, magic smoke.


The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

fat electrons

    Old-time hacker David Cargill's theory
   on the cause of computer glitches.  Your typical electricity
   company draws its line current out of the big generators with
   a pair of coil taps located near the top of the dynamo.  When
   the normal tap brushes get dirty, they take them off line to
   clean them up, and use special auxiliary taps on the *bottom*
   of the coil.  Now, this is a problem, because when they do
   that they get not ordinary or "thin" electrons, but the fat
   sloppy electrons that are heavier and so settle to the bottom
   of the generator.  These flow down ordinary wires just fine,
   but when they have to turn a sharp corner (as in an
   integrated-circuit via), they're apt to get stuck.  This is
   what causes computer glitches.

   [Obviously, fat electrons must gain mass by bogon absorption
   - ESR]

   Compare bogon, magic smoke.

   [Jargon File]

   (1996-12-08)