Sacred Cow
Noun · Slang & Abbreviations
Definitions
An assumption, tool, team habit, or system treated as beyond criticism even when evidence suggests it should be questioned. In engineering slang, sacred cows are where real improvement often goes to stall.
In plain English: Something treated as untouchable or beyond criticism.
Example: "The release train had become a sacred cow, defended on ritual grounds long after the data showed smaller more frequent deploys would be safer."