A condition endemic to {PRIME} (also known as "PR1ME") {minicomputers} that results in all the characters having their high bit (0x80, see {meta bit}) ON rather than OFF.  This complicates transporting files to other systems and talking to true 8-bit devices.  Folklore had it that PRIME adopted the convention in order to save 25 cents per {serial line} per machine; PRIME old-timers, on the other hand, claim they inherited the disease from {Honeywell} via customer NASA's compatibility requirements and struggled heroically to cure it.  Whoever was responsible, this probably qualifies as one of the most cretinous design tradeoffs ever made.  A few other machines have exhibited similar brain damage. [{Jargon File}] (2002-04-09)