English Reference
Idiom idiom

kitchen table software


Especially in the early years of personal computers, a set of computer programs developed by an entrepreneurial advanced amateur or self-employed professional computer programmer in his or her own home; software developed by a small business using the services of such programmers.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

He started his business by selling kitchen table software from home.

She earns extra money by coding kitchen table software in her living room.

This simple accounting tool is a classic example of kitchen table software.

CONTEXTUAL

Many successful tech companies began as small projects built on kitchen table software before growing into global corporations.

Before the app store became crowded with corporate products, you could find unique kitchen table software written by hobbyists in their spare time.

The museum features an exhibit on early kitchen table software that paved the way for modern video games.

COMPLEX

While the industry now favors massive corporate teams, the era of kitchen table software fostered a unique spirit of independent innovation and personal creativity.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bring to the table

    To contribute (something) to a joint effort or discussion.

  2. 02

    clear the table

    To remove plates, etc. from a table after a meal.

  3. 03

    everything and the kitchen sink

    Alternative form of everything but the kitchen sink.

  4. 04

    everything but the kitchen sink

    Almost everything, whether needed or not.

  5. 05

    fence the tables

    To make a solemn address to those who present themselves to commune at the Lord's Supper, on the feelings appropriate to the service, in order to hinder, so far as possible, those who are unworthy from approaching the table.

  6. 06

    kiddie table

    The gathering place, forum, or venue assigned to less prominent or less capable participants in an event.

  7. 07

    pizza table

    A small, inedible, table-shaped object that sits on a pizza pie and holds up the top of the box the pie lies in, preventing it from settling into the pie.

  8. 08

    put food on the table

    To provide enough money to cover basic necessities.

Last updated August 10, 2026