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  1.                 From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (19 January 2023):
                

    
                
                  
    Big Red Switch
BRS
    

       <jargon> (BRS) IBM jargon for the power switch on a computer,
   especially the "Emergency Pull" switch on an IBM mainframe or
   the power switch on an IBM PC where it really is large and red.
    

       "This !@%$% bitty box is hung again; time to hit the Big Red
   Switch."
    

       It is alleged that the emergency pull switch on an IBM 360/91
   actually fired a non-conducting bolt into the main power feed; the
   BRSes on more recent mainframes physically drop a block into place
   so that they can't be pushed back in.  People get fired for
   pulling them, especially inappropriately (see also molly-guard).
    

       Compare power cycle, three-finger salute, 120 reset; see
   also scram switch.
    

       [Jargon File]
    

       (2014-08-10)