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What does "Möhre" mean here? And where does this expression come from?

Vielleicht sollte ich noch hinzufügen, dass unser Windows 7 PC über WLAN am Netz ist, und wir für die alte XP-Möhre ein Netzwerkkabel benutzen.

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  • A computer running Windows XP. The use of Möhre may be an interesting question, but the XP part is not, IMO.
    – chirlu
    Feb 19, 2016 at 23:47
  • The same construct why you call a crap car a lemon in English
    – tofro
    Nov 24, 2021 at 10:16

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Möhre here refers to the old computer. Generally, any piece of equipment that is outdated (not in a nostalgic way) and often already insufficient can be referred to as a Möhre.

The word is short for Mohrrübe (carrot). Gurke (cucumber) can be used in just the same way.

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    Gurke is mainly used for vehicles. It can also be used as a verb in that case. herumgurken can mean driving overly slow, being in the way, blocking others. Sebastian Vettel was once criticized for calling slower cars Gurken after a Malaysia race.
    – Thorsten Dittmar
    Feb 22, 2016 at 9:54
  • @ThorstenDittmar: Möhre kenne ich aber auch primär von Mopeds.
    – user unknown
    Feb 4, 2017 at 0:54
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Gurke or Möhre is an synonym for an average item, nothing worth paying attention anymore.

An old computer, software or items which is not up to date anymore is just a normal none considerable thing.

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