If not, what word do I mean to use when I use "show-stopper" negatively?
It seems that in high-tech culture a show-stopper is a development problem that prevents forward progress, or an unacceptable outcome. (At least in a non-english-speaking high-tech culture.)
My wife called me on it this morning when I used show-stopper in this context.
When I stopped to think about it, I couldn't think of the word or phrase I should be using that I seem to have confused with show-stopper.
Best Answer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showstopper Show-Stopper in the theatrical sense is an expression referring to something truly dazzling.
"The triple somersault in the dance that starts the second act is a show stopper"The show has to stop for applause... it can't keep going if the crowd is on its feet cheering.
Of course you're correct that show stopper in the world of technology and business is an impediment to progress which must be cleared to proceed, and in that sense is entirely negative.