benevolent dictator for life

English

Etymology

Originally applied to Dutch programmer Guido van Rossum, creator of the Python programming language, in an email from 1995. According to van Rossum, coined likely by either Ken Manheimer or Barry Warsaw.

Noun

benevolent dictator for life (plural benevolent dictators for life)

  1. (software, humorous) The leader of an open-source software project, typically project founders, who retains the final say in disputes or arguments within the community. [from 1995]
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see benevolent,‎ dictator,‎ for life.

References

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