Xyzzy (computing)

Xyzzy is a magic word, primarily known in the context of the classic text adventure game Colossal Cave Adventure (also known as Adventure). Typing "xyzzy" at various points in the game transports the player between otherwise inaccessible locations.

The origin of the word "xyzzy" is uncertain. Various theories suggest it's a nonsense word chosen for its unusualness, a reference to a term from the game's author's other programming projects, or even a typing error that was kept for its effect. Regardless of its origin, its association with Adventure has made it a cultural touchstone within the programming and gaming communities.

Over time, "xyzzy" has become a kind of in-joke, often appearing in unrelated software or contexts as an Easter egg or hidden command. It serves as a nostalgic reference to the early days of interactive fiction and computer games. The presence of "xyzzy" in a program often signals a hidden function, debugging aid, or simply a bit of whimsy added by the developers.