PEBCAC

What Does PEBCAC Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

PEBCAC means "Problem Exists Between Chair and Computer."

More Observations...

PEBCAC is another way of saying "human error." It is typically used by IT professionals to declare that the hardware and software are all working fine, but the operator (i.e., the user) is an idiot.

Image for PEBCAC

When I write PEBCAC, I mean this:

PEBCAC means "user error."

Summary of Key Points

We have summarized the key points in the table below:

PEBCAC
Definition:	Problem Exists Between Chair and Computer
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of PEBCAC in Sentences

Here are examples of PEBCAC in conversations:

• Charlie: My monitor won't work on my computer.
• Jordan: PEBCAC. Try switching the monitor on.
(In other words: "It is the user's fault. The monitor is fine.")

• Charlie: Stupid computer! All my icons have become really big on the desktop.
• Jordan: PEBCAC. You have probably clicked something in settings by mistake.
(In other words: "It is not the computer that is the problem. It is you.")

An Academic Look at PEBCAC

PEBCAC is used as a standalone declarative sentence (i.e., a statement), which translates best as "The problem exists between the chair and the computer." Occasionally PEBCAC is used like a noun or an adjective. For example:

• That is definitely a PEBCAC. Don't blame the computer.
(Here, PEBCAC is a noun.)

• This is a PEBCAC issue.
(Here, PEBCAC is an adjective.)

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we might have said something like "human error" or instead of PEBCAC.

Example of PEBCAC Used in a Text

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