MIPS, CPUs, CRT, VTAM….the world of mainframes is absolutely notorious for the obscure lingo. A conversation between two mainframers talking mainframe-speak is sure to be entirely impenetrable to an outsider. It could be seen as a barrier (it probably is a barrier for many) but it sure speeds things up when you can say “VTAM” instead of “virtual telecommunications access method.”
Our trivia challenge for this week will be a breeze if you’re a mainframe veteran, but for those that are brand new to the world of mainframes, here’s a chance to brush up on some basic mainframe jargon.
The ‘Mainframe Lingo Trivia’ has a brilliant set of questions that delve into the rich technical jargon of mainframes. Kudos to Sonja Soderlund and Planet Mainframe for writing and publishing such a fascinating piece and championing the cause of mainframes with unwavering dedication. While IBM’s efforts to uphold the legacy of mainframes have been inconsistent, platforms like Planet Mainframe continue proudly carrying the torch, celebrating and preserving the unparalleled significance of mainframes in the modern tech landscape.
Very helpful thank you
The trivia format is a nice way to show how much mainframe culture lives in its vocabulary—terms that often carry decades of operational history. I’d add that the same jargon can be intimidating to newcomers, so pieces like this work best when they pair the quiz with brief context on where a term came from or how it’s used today. That keeps the legacy visible without making it feel like insider shorthand only veterans can decode.