Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

sorcerer's apprentice mode
     
         (From Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's "Der
        Zauberlehrling", via the Walt Disney film "Fantasia") A {bug}
        in a {protocol} where, under some circumstances, the receipt
        of a message causes multiple messages to be sent, each of
        which, when received, triggers the same bug.  Used especially
        of such behaviour caused by {bounce message} loops in
        {electronic mail} software.
     
        Compare {broadcast storm}, {network meltdown}, {software
        laser}, {ARMM}.
     
        {Der Zauberlehrling
        (http://www.unix-ag.uni-kl.de/~conrad/lyrics/zauber.html)}.
     
        [{Jargon File}]
     
        (1999-10-08)