Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

baud barf
     
         /bawd barf/ The garbage one gets on the {display
        screen} when using a {modem} connection with some {protocol}
        setting (especially line speed) incorrect, or when someone
        picks up a voice extension on the same line, or when really
        bad line noise disrupts the connection.  Baud barf is not
        completely {random}, by the way; hackers with a lot of
        serial-line experience can usually tell whether the device at
        the other end is expecting a higher or lower speed than the
        {terminal} is set to.  *Really* experienced ones can identify
        particular speeds.
     
        [{Jargon File}]
     
        (1996-02-22)