qwerty syndrome

proper noun

The condition of favoring entrenched and inferior technologies or practices over superior ones.

Similar
QWERTY phenomenon
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Meanings

proper noun
  1. idiomaticcomputingThe condition of favoring entrenched and inferior technologies or practices over superior ones.

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

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

    Synonyms: QWERTY phenomenon

Synonyms & antonyms

proper nounThe condition of favoring entrenched and inferior technologies or practices over superior ones.

Similar
QWERTY phenomenon
Also see
qwerty phenomenon

Origin

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

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

qwerty syndrome. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/qwerty%20syndrome

MLA

“qwerty syndrome.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/qwerty%20syndrome. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “qwerty syndrome,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/qwerty%20syndrome.

Source: qwerty syndrome on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.