Pebkac Meaning and Definition
Pebkac
Pronunciation
/ˈpɛbkeɪk/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A person who has looked up an answer to a problem on the internet, particularly Google, only to find that the problem or error is caused by the user themselves, often due to inexperience or lack of basic IT knowledge.
Examples
- After trying to troubleshoot the issue for hours, John finally found out he was the Pebkac and not the computer.
- Sarah’s boss was impressed by her confidence, but she was just the Pebkac and didn’t realize she had accidentally uploaded the wrong file.
Synonyms
- Typo
- Moron
Antonyms
- Expert
- Technophile
Etymology
The term “Pebkac” is believed to have originated in the late 1990s or early 2000s in the online community, possibly as a combination of “PEBKAC” (Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair) or “PEBK” (Problem Exists Between Keyboard).
Usage Notes
Pebkac is often used in a humorous or ironic way to describe a situation where someone is experiencing technical difficulties or error, but the issue is not with the technology itself, but with the user’s lack of understanding or competence.
Cultural References
Pebkac has been referenced in various forms of media, including memes, podcasts, and online articles.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
A common phrase is “PEBKAC” or “There’s a Pebkac here.”
Related Words or Phrases
Other related terms include “monkey” (a person who is inexperienced or not involved in IT) and “help vampire” (someone who seeks help online without attempting to solve the problem themselves first).
Collocations
Pebkac is often paired with words like “error”, “problem”, “issue”, or “issue” to describe a situation where the user is the root cause of the problem.
Frequency of Use
Pebkac is a relatively rare term, but it has gained popularity in the online community and is often used in a humorous or ironic way.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings include “Pebrek”, “Pebick”, or “Pebekah.”