The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):
Your mileage may vary
cav.
[from the standard disclaimer attached to EPA mileage ratings by American
car manufacturers]
1. A ritual warning often found in Unix freeware distributions. Translates
roughly as ?Hey, I tried to write this portably, but who knows what'll
happen on your system??
2. More generally, a qualifier attached to advice. ?I find that sending
flowers works well, but your mileage may vary.?
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):
Your mileage may vary
YMMV
(YMMV) The disclaimer American car manufacturers
attached to EPA mileage ratings. A humourous way of saying
that the thing under discussion will not necessarily give you
the same results as the author. Often used to convey the
hardware dependence of Unix freeware distributions.
[Jargon File]
(2012-02-16)