computergate

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A 1981 controversy around allegations that the staff of US politician Jerry Brown deliberately destroyed computer cards in order to obstruct an investigation into his campaign.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English
Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A 1978 controversy around Australian prime minister Malcolm Fraser's decision to award a bid for computer systems to IBM rather than the cheaper FACOM.

Register: slang

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “computergate” mean?

A 1981 controversy around allegations that the staff of US politician Jerry Brown deliberately destroyed computer cards in order to obstruct an investigation into his campaign.

Is “computergate” formal or informal?

computergate is generally slang.