The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):
copious free time
n.
[Apple; orig. fr. the intro to Tom Lehrer's song It Makes A Fellow Proud To
Be A Soldier]
1. [used ironically to indicate the speaker's lack of the quantity in
question] A mythical schedule slot for accomplishing tasks held to be
unlikely or impossible. Sometimes used to indicate that the speaker is
interested in accomplishing the task, but believes that the opportunity
will not arise. ?I'll implement the automatic layout stuff in my copious
free time.?
2. [Archly] Time reserved for bogus or otherwise idiotic tasks, such as
implementation of chrome, or the stroking of suits. ?I'll get back to
him on that feature in my copious free time.?
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):
copious free time
(Apple; originally from the introduction to Tom
Lehrer's song "It Makes A Fellow Proud To Be A Soldier") Used
ironically to indicate the speaker's lack of the quantity in
question; a mythical schedule slot for accomplishing tasks
held to be unlikely or impossible. Sometimes used to indicate
that the speaker is interested in accomplishing the task, but
believes that the opportunity will not arise. "I'll implement
the automatic layout stuff in my copious free time."
The phrase is also used for time reserved for bogus or
otherwise idiotic tasks, such as implementation of bad
chrome, or the stroking of suits. "I'll get back to him
on that feature in my copious free time."
[Jargon File]
(1994-11-30)