VAXocentrism

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

Meaning · English

The incorrect assumption that certain behaviours and memory storage conventions of the VAX (a computer system of the 1970s) are applicable on all computer architectures.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

There's nothing that says that array elements in FORTRAN - or, for that matter, C - have to be contiguous. Thinking that that must be true as a matter of Natural Law is purest VAXocentrism.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

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

Common questions

What does “VAXocentrism” mean?

The incorrect assumption that certain behaviours and memory storage conventions of the VAX (a computer system of the 1970s) are applicable on all computer architectures.

Is “VAXocentrism” formal or informal?

VAXocentrism is generally slang.