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

fear and loathing
 n.

    [from Hunter S. Thompson] A state inspired by the prospect of dealing with
    certain real-world systems and standards that are totally brain-damaged
    but ubiquitous ? Intel 8086s, or COBOL, or EBCDIC, or any IBM machine
    bigger than a workstation. ?Ack! They want PCs to be able to talk to the AI
    machine. Fear and loathing time!?


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

fear and loathing

   (Hunter S. Thompson) A state inspired by the prospect of
   dealing with certain real-world systems and standards that are
   totally brain-damaged but ubiquitous - Intel 8086s,
   COBOL, EBCDIC, or any IBM machine except the Rios
   (also known as the RS/6000).

   [Jargon File]

   (1994-12-06)