The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):
baz
/baz/, n.
1. [common] The third metasyntactic variable ?Suppose we have three
functions: FOO, BAR, and BAZ. FOO calls BAR, which calls BAZ....? (See also
fum)
2. interj. A term of mild annoyance. In this usage the term is often drawn
out for 2 or 3 seconds, producing an effect not unlike the bleating of a
sheep; /baaaaaaz/.
3. Occasionally appended to foo to produce ?foobaz?.
Earlier versions of this lexicon derived baz as a Stanford corruption of
bar. However, Pete Samson (compiler of the TMRC lexicon) reports it was
already current when he joined TMRC in 1958. He says ?It came from Pogo.
Albert the Alligator, when vexed or outraged, would shout ?Bazz Fazz!? or ?
Rowrbazzle!? The club layout was said to model the (mythical) New England
counties of Rowrfolk and Bassex (Rowrbazzle mingled with (Norfolk/Suffolk/
Middlesex/Essex).?
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):
baz
/baz/ The third metasyntactic variable "Suppose we have
three functions: FOO, BAR, and BAZ. FOO calls BAR, which
calls BAZ..." (See also fum). Occasionally appended to
foo to produce "foobaz".
Early versions of the Hacker Jargon dictionary derived "baz"
as a Stanford corruption of bar. However, Pete Samson
(compiler of the TMRC lexicon) reports it was already
current when he joined TMRC in 1958. He says "It came from
"Pogo". Albert the Alligator, when vexed or outraged, would
shout "Bazz Fazz!" or "Rowrbazzle!" The club layout was said
to model the (mythical) New England counties of Rowrfolk and
Bassex (Rowrbazzle mingled with Norfolk/Suffolk/Middlesex/
Essex)."
[Jargon File]
(2008-06-30)