qwerty syndrome

English

Etymology

Named after the QWERTY keyboard layout, a popular standard despite not necessarily being the most optimal.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Proper noun

qwerty syndrome

1. (idiomatic, computing, technology) The condition of favoring entrenched and inferior technologies or practices over superior ones.

   Synonym: QWERTY phenomenon

   • 2000, Jason Kroll, “Readers' Choice Awards”, in Linux Journal:

     Nowhere is the QWERTY syndrome stronger than in computers […]

See also

• Betamax
• opportunity cost