A motherboard is the main circuit board inside a computer that connects and allows communication between all the major parts, like the processor, memory, and storage. It acts as the central backbone of the computer’s hardware.
Formed in English from *mother* and *board*, using *mother* in the sense of “main” or “source of others,” as in *mother ship*. The term became common with the rise of personal computers in the late 20th century.
Calling it a “motherboard” isn’t just cute—it reflects the way other components “plug into” it and depend on it to function. In tech slang, you’ll also hear about “daughterboards” or “child cards” that extend the motherboard’s abilities. The family metaphor is literally built into computer design.
‘Motherboard’ follows a broader pattern of using maternal metaphors (‘mother ship,’ ‘mother lode’) for origin or centrality in technical domains historically dominated by men. The term can reflect gendered language in computing, even though it is now mostly perceived as technical jargon.
Use ‘motherboard’ in technical contexts without reinforcing stereotypes about women as inherently nurturing or central caregivers.
["mainboard","system board"]
Women have been foundational in computing hardware and software design, though their roles have often been overshadowed by male figures in tech histories.
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