diff --git a/src/librustc/infer/anon_types/mod.rs b/src/librustc/infer/anon_types/mod.rs
index 93e8745af1b..eb5df697216 100644
--- a/src/librustc/infer/anon_types/mod.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/infer/anon_types/mod.rs
@@ -726,10 +726,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> Instantiator<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
             return anon_defn.concrete_ty;
         }
         let span = tcx.def_span(def_id);
-        let ty_var = infcx.next_ty_var(
-            ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-            TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(span),
-        );
+        let ty_var = infcx.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(span));
 
         let predicates_of = tcx.predicates_of(def_id);
         let bounds = predicates_of.instantiate(tcx, substs);
diff --git a/src/librustc/infer/combine.rs b/src/librustc/infer/combine.rs
index 1c581c44464..c2167751a27 100644
--- a/src/librustc/infer/combine.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/infer/combine.rs
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ impl<'cx, 'gcx, 'tcx> TypeRelation<'cx, 'gcx, 'tcx> for Generalizer<'cx, 'gcx, '
                             drop(variables);
                             self.relate(&u, &u)
                         }
-                        TypeVariableValue::Unknown { universe } => {
+                        TypeVariableValue::Unknown { .. } => {
                             match self.ambient_variance {
                                 // Invariant: no need to make a fresh type variable.
                                 ty::Invariant => return Ok(t),
@@ -424,7 +424,7 @@ impl<'cx, 'gcx, 'tcx> TypeRelation<'cx, 'gcx, 'tcx> for Generalizer<'cx, 'gcx, '
                             }
 
                             let origin = *variables.var_origin(vid);
-                            let new_var_id = variables.new_var(universe, false, origin);
+                            let new_var_id = variables.new_var(false, origin);
                             let u = self.tcx().mk_var(new_var_id);
                             debug!("generalize: replacing original vid={:?} with new={:?}",
                                    vid, u);
diff --git a/src/librustc/infer/fudge.rs b/src/librustc/infer/fudge.rs
index 48eb253415c..961dd70a468 100644
--- a/src/librustc/infer/fudge.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/infer/fudge.rs
@@ -141,11 +141,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> TypeFolder<'gcx, 'tcx> for RegionFudger<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
                         // This variable was created during the
                         // fudging. Recreate it with a fresh variable
                         // here.
-                        //
-                        // The ROOT universe is fine because we only
-                        // ever invoke this routine at the
-                        // "item-level" of inference.
-                        self.infcx.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT, origin)
+                        self.infcx.next_ty_var(origin)
                     }
                 }
             }
diff --git a/src/librustc/infer/lattice.rs b/src/librustc/infer/lattice.rs
index c4722f9a7f9..28aba51ab37 100644
--- a/src/librustc/infer/lattice.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/infer/lattice.rs
@@ -88,17 +88,13 @@ pub fn super_lattice_tys<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx, L>(this: &mut L,
         // is (e.g.) `Box<i32>`. A more obvious solution might be to
         // iterate on the subtype obligations that are returned, but I
         // think this suffices. -nmatsakis
-        (&ty::TyInfer(TyVar(a_vid)), _) => {
-            let universe = infcx.type_variables.borrow_mut().probe(a_vid).universe().unwrap();
-            let v = infcx.next_ty_var(universe,
-                                      TypeVariableOrigin::LatticeVariable(this.cause().span));
+        (&ty::TyInfer(TyVar(..)), _) => {
+            let v = infcx.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::LatticeVariable(this.cause().span));
             this.relate_bound(v, b, a)?;
             Ok(v)
         }
-        (_, &ty::TyInfer(TyVar(b_vid))) => {
-            let universe = infcx.type_variables.borrow_mut().probe(b_vid).universe().unwrap();
-            let v = infcx.next_ty_var(universe,
-                                      TypeVariableOrigin::LatticeVariable(this.cause().span));
+        (_, &ty::TyInfer(TyVar(..))) => {
+            let v = infcx.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::LatticeVariable(this.cause().span));
             this.relate_bound(v, a, b)?;
             Ok(v)
         }
diff --git a/src/librustc/infer/mod.rs b/src/librustc/infer/mod.rs
index f9ffdd52712..032a5c59d2d 100644
--- a/src/librustc/infer/mod.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/infer/mod.rs
@@ -837,22 +837,18 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> InferCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
         })
     }
 
-    pub fn next_ty_var_id(&self,
-                          universe: ty::UniverseIndex,
-                          diverging: bool,
-                          origin: TypeVariableOrigin)
-                          -> TyVid {
+    pub fn next_ty_var_id(&self, diverging: bool, origin: TypeVariableOrigin) -> TyVid {
         self.type_variables
             .borrow_mut()
-            .new_var(universe, diverging, origin)
+            .new_var(diverging, origin)
     }
 
-    pub fn next_ty_var(&self, universe: ty::UniverseIndex, origin: TypeVariableOrigin) -> Ty<'tcx> {
-        self.tcx.mk_var(self.next_ty_var_id(universe, false, origin))
+    pub fn next_ty_var(&self, origin: TypeVariableOrigin) -> Ty<'tcx> {
+        self.tcx.mk_var(self.next_ty_var_id(false, origin))
     }
 
-    pub fn next_diverging_ty_var(&self, universe: ty::UniverseIndex, origin: TypeVariableOrigin) -> Ty<'tcx> {
-        self.tcx.mk_var(self.next_ty_var_id(universe, true, origin))
+    pub fn next_diverging_ty_var(&self, origin: TypeVariableOrigin) -> Ty<'tcx> {
+        self.tcx.mk_var(self.next_ty_var_id(true, origin))
     }
 
     pub fn next_int_var_id(&self) -> IntVid {
@@ -907,14 +903,12 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> InferCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
     /// use an inference variable for `C` with `[T, U]`
     /// as the substitutions for the default, `(T, U)`.
     pub fn type_var_for_def(&self,
-                            universe: ty::UniverseIndex,
                             span: Span,
                             def: &ty::TypeParameterDef)
                             -> Ty<'tcx> {
         let ty_var_id = self.type_variables
                             .borrow_mut()
-                            .new_var(universe,
-                                     false,
+                            .new_var(false,
                                      TypeVariableOrigin::TypeParameterDefinition(span, def.name));
 
         self.tcx.mk_var(ty_var_id)
@@ -923,14 +917,13 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> InferCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
     /// Given a set of generics defined on a type or impl, returns a substitution mapping each
     /// type/region parameter to a fresh inference variable.
     pub fn fresh_substs_for_item(&self,
-                                 universe: ty::UniverseIndex,
                                  span: Span,
                                  def_id: DefId)
                                  -> &'tcx Substs<'tcx> {
         Substs::for_item(self.tcx, def_id, |def, _| {
             self.region_var_for_def(span, def)
         }, |def, _| {
-            self.type_var_for_def(universe, span, def)
+            self.type_var_for_def(span, def)
         })
     }
 
diff --git a/src/librustc/infer/type_variable.rs b/src/librustc/infer/type_variable.rs
index 66360ea50bb..91df6cabf3a 100644
--- a/src/librustc/infer/type_variable.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/infer/type_variable.rs
@@ -78,18 +78,10 @@ struct TypeVariableData {
 #[derive(Copy, Clone, Debug)]
 pub enum TypeVariableValue<'tcx> {
     Known { value: Ty<'tcx> },
-    Unknown { universe: ty::UniverseIndex },
-}
-
-#[derive(Copy, Clone, Debug)]
-pub enum ProbeTyValue<'tcx> {
-    Ty(Ty<'tcx>),
-    Vid(ty::TyVid),
+    Unknown,
 }
 
 impl<'tcx> TypeVariableValue<'tcx> {
-    /// If this value is known, returns the type it is known to be.
-    /// Otherwise, `None`.
     pub fn known(&self) -> Option<Ty<'tcx>> {
         match *self {
             TypeVariableValue::Unknown { .. } => None,
@@ -97,14 +89,6 @@ impl<'tcx> TypeVariableValue<'tcx> {
         }
     }
 
-    /// If this value is unknown, returns the universe, otherwise `None`.
-    pub fn universe(&self) -> Option<ty::UniverseIndex> {
-        match *self {
-            TypeVariableValue::Unknown { universe } => Some(universe),
-            TypeVariableValue::Known { .. } => None,
-        }
-    }
-
     pub fn is_unknown(&self) -> bool {
         match *self {
             TypeVariableValue::Unknown { .. } => true,
@@ -197,11 +181,10 @@ impl<'tcx> TypeVariableTable<'tcx> {
     ///   The code in this module doesn't care, but it can be useful
     ///   for improving error messages.
     pub fn new_var(&mut self,
-                   universe: ty::UniverseIndex,
                    diverging: bool,
                    origin: TypeVariableOrigin)
                    -> ty::TyVid {
-        let eq_key = self.eq_relations.new_key(TypeVariableValue::Unknown { universe });
+        let eq_key = self.eq_relations.new_key(TypeVariableValue::Unknown);
 
         let sub_key = self.sub_relations.new_key(());
         assert_eq!(eq_key.vid, sub_key);
@@ -453,12 +436,8 @@ impl<'tcx> ut::UnifyValue for TypeVariableValue<'tcx> {
             (&TypeVariableValue::Known { .. }, &TypeVariableValue::Unknown { .. }) => Ok(*value1),
             (&TypeVariableValue::Unknown { .. }, &TypeVariableValue::Known { .. }) => Ok(*value2),
 
-            // If both sides are unknown, we need to pick the most restrictive universe.
-            (&TypeVariableValue::Unknown { universe: universe1 },
-             &TypeVariableValue::Unknown { universe: universe2 }) => {
-                let universe = cmp::min(universe1, universe2);
-                Ok(TypeVariableValue::Unknown { universe })
-            }
+            // If both sides are *unknown*, it hardly matters, does it?
+            (&TypeVariableValue::Unknown, &TypeVariableValue::Unknown) => Ok(*value1),
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/librustc/traits/coherence.rs b/src/librustc/traits/coherence.rs
index 06926b1648d..31f8af1f968 100644
--- a/src/librustc/traits/coherence.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/traits/coherence.rs
@@ -92,9 +92,7 @@ fn with_fresh_ty_vars<'cx, 'gcx, 'tcx>(selcx: &mut SelectionContext<'cx, 'gcx, '
                                        -> ty::ImplHeader<'tcx>
 {
     let tcx = selcx.tcx();
-    let impl_substs = selcx.infcx().fresh_substs_for_item(param_env.universe,
-                                                          DUMMY_SP,
-                                                          impl_def_id);
+    let impl_substs = selcx.infcx().fresh_substs_for_item(DUMMY_SP, impl_def_id);
 
     let header = ty::ImplHeader {
         impl_def_id,
diff --git a/src/librustc/traits/error_reporting.rs b/src/librustc/traits/error_reporting.rs
index ab3c619dcdc..1671f5b3876 100644
--- a/src/librustc/traits/error_reporting.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/traits/error_reporting.rs
@@ -292,9 +292,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> InferCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
 
         self.tcx.for_each_relevant_impl(
             trait_ref.def_id, trait_self_ty, |def_id| {
-                let impl_substs = self.fresh_substs_for_item(param_env.universe,
-                                                             obligation.cause.span,
-                                                             def_id);
+                let impl_substs = self.fresh_substs_for_item(obligation.cause.span, def_id);
                 let impl_trait_ref = tcx
                     .impl_trait_ref(def_id)
                     .unwrap()
@@ -1272,7 +1270,6 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> InferCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
                            -> bool {
         struct ParamToVarFolder<'a, 'gcx: 'a+'tcx, 'tcx: 'a> {
             infcx: &'a InferCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx>,
-            param_env: ty::ParamEnv<'tcx>,
             var_map: FxHashMap<Ty<'tcx>, Ty<'tcx>>
         }
 
@@ -1282,14 +1279,9 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> InferCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
             fn fold_ty(&mut self, ty: Ty<'tcx>) -> Ty<'tcx> {
                 if let ty::TyParam(ty::ParamTy {name, ..}) = ty.sty {
                     let infcx = self.infcx;
-                    let param_env = self.param_env;
-                    self.var_map
-                        .entry(ty)
-                        .or_insert_with(|| {
-                            let origin = TypeVariableOrigin::TypeParameterDefinition(DUMMY_SP,
-                                                                                     name);
-                            infcx.next_ty_var(param_env.universe, origin)
-                        })
+                    self.var_map.entry(ty).or_insert_with(||
+                        infcx.next_ty_var(
+                            TypeVariableOrigin::TypeParameterDefinition(DUMMY_SP, name)))
                 } else {
                     ty.super_fold_with(self)
                 }
@@ -1301,7 +1293,6 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> InferCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
 
             let cleaned_pred = pred.fold_with(&mut ParamToVarFolder {
                 infcx: self,
-                param_env,
                 var_map: FxHashMap()
             });
 
diff --git a/src/librustc/traits/project.rs b/src/librustc/traits/project.rs
index a9dc4915743..2a62d0b5ee3 100644
--- a/src/librustc/traits/project.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/traits/project.rs
@@ -477,7 +477,6 @@ pub fn normalize_projection_type<'a, 'b, 'gcx, 'tcx>(
             let tcx = selcx.infcx().tcx;
             let def_id = projection_ty.item_def_id;
             let ty_var = selcx.infcx().next_ty_var(
-                param_env.universe,
                 TypeVariableOrigin::NormalizeProjectionType(tcx.def_span(def_id)));
             let projection = ty::Binder(ty::ProjectionPredicate {
                 projection_ty,
@@ -798,7 +797,6 @@ fn normalize_to_error<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx>(selcx: &mut SelectionContext<'a, 'gcx, 'tc
     let tcx = selcx.infcx().tcx;
     let def_id = projection_ty.item_def_id;
     let new_value = selcx.infcx().next_ty_var(
-        param_env.universe,
         TypeVariableOrigin::NormalizeProjectionType(tcx.def_span(def_id)));
     Normalized {
         value: new_value,
diff --git a/src/librustc/traits/select.rs b/src/librustc/traits/select.rs
index 4db81cf1dec..57e1ed571f7 100644
--- a/src/librustc/traits/select.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/traits/select.rs
@@ -3045,8 +3045,7 @@ impl<'cx, 'gcx, 'tcx> SelectionContext<'cx, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
             snapshot);
         let skol_obligation_trait_ref = skol_obligation.trait_ref;
 
-        let impl_substs = self.infcx.fresh_substs_for_item(obligation.param_env.universe,
-                                                           obligation.cause.span,
+        let impl_substs = self.infcx.fresh_substs_for_item(obligation.cause.span,
                                                            impl_def_id);
 
         let impl_trait_ref = impl_trait_ref.subst(self.tcx(),
diff --git a/src/librustc/traits/specialize/mod.rs b/src/librustc/traits/specialize/mod.rs
index 5ea089abb8e..2be1258f1c9 100644
--- a/src/librustc/traits/specialize/mod.rs
+++ b/src/librustc/traits/specialize/mod.rs
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ fn fulfill_implication<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx>(infcx: &InferCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx>,
                                        target_impl: DefId)
                                        -> Result<&'tcx Substs<'tcx>, ()> {
     let selcx = &mut SelectionContext::new(&infcx);
-    let target_substs = infcx.fresh_substs_for_item(param_env.universe, DUMMY_SP, target_impl);
+    let target_substs = infcx.fresh_substs_for_item(DUMMY_SP, target_impl);
     let (target_trait_ref, mut obligations) = impl_trait_ref_and_oblig(selcx,
                                                                        param_env,
                                                                        target_impl,
diff --git a/src/librustc_typeck/check/_match.rs b/src/librustc_typeck/check/_match.rs
index 379fd93ba2b..a2f9e629594 100644
--- a/src/librustc_typeck/check/_match.rs
+++ b/src/librustc_typeck/check/_match.rs
@@ -329,7 +329,6 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
                 let element_tys_iter = (0..max_len).map(|_| self.next_ty_var(
                     // FIXME: MiscVariable for now, obtaining the span and name information
                     //       from all tuple elements isn't trivial.
-                    ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
                     TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(pat.span)));
                 let element_tys = tcx.mk_type_list(element_tys_iter);
                 let pat_ty = tcx.mk_ty(ty::TyTuple(element_tys));
@@ -340,8 +339,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
                 pat_ty
             }
             PatKind::Box(ref inner) => {
-                let inner_ty = self.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                                                TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(inner.span));
+                let inner_ty = self.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(inner.span));
                 let uniq_ty = tcx.mk_box(inner_ty);
 
                 if self.check_dereferencable(pat.span, expected, &inner) {
@@ -374,7 +372,6 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
                         }
                         _ => {
                             let inner_ty = self.next_ty_var(
-                                ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
                                 TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(inner.span));
                             let mt = ty::TypeAndMut { ty: inner_ty, mutbl: mutbl };
                             let region = self.next_region_var(infer::PatternRegion(pat.span));
@@ -633,8 +630,7 @@ https://doc.rust-lang.org/reference/types.html#trait-objects");
             // ...but otherwise we want to use any supertype of the
             // discriminant. This is sort of a workaround, see note (*) in
             // `check_pat` for some details.
-            discrim_ty = self.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                                          TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(discrim.span));
+            discrim_ty = self.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(discrim.span));
             self.check_expr_has_type_or_error(discrim, discrim_ty);
         };
 
@@ -695,8 +691,7 @@ https://doc.rust-lang.org/reference/types.html#trait-objects");
                 // arm for inconsistent arms or to the whole match when a `()` type
                 // is required).
                 Expectation::ExpectHasType(ety) if ety != self.tcx.mk_nil() => ety,
-                _ => self.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                                      TypeVariableOrigin::MiscVariable(expr.span)),
+                _ => self.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::MiscVariable(expr.span)),
             };
             CoerceMany::with_coercion_sites(coerce_first, arms)
         };
diff --git a/src/librustc_typeck/check/closure.rs b/src/librustc_typeck/check/closure.rs
index 562c0cb1b8d..68b0560355f 100644
--- a/src/librustc_typeck/check/closure.rs
+++ b/src/librustc_typeck/check/closure.rs
@@ -110,8 +110,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
             |_, _| span_bug!(expr.span, "closure has region param"),
             |_, _| {
                 self.infcx
-                    .next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                                 TypeVariableOrigin::ClosureSynthetic(expr.span))
+                    .next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::ClosureSynthetic(expr.span))
             },
         );
         let substs = ty::ClosureSubsts { substs };
diff --git a/src/librustc_typeck/check/coercion.rs b/src/librustc_typeck/check/coercion.rs
index 269ee49f38e..bc8f107951b 100644
--- a/src/librustc_typeck/check/coercion.rs
+++ b/src/librustc_typeck/check/coercion.rs
@@ -176,7 +176,6 @@ impl<'f, 'gcx, 'tcx> Coerce<'f, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
                 // micro-optimization: no need for this if `b` is
                 // already resolved in some way.
                 let diverging_ty = self.next_diverging_ty_var(
-                    ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
                     TypeVariableOrigin::AdjustmentType(self.cause.span));
                 self.unify_and(&b, &diverging_ty, simple(Adjust::NeverToAny))
             } else {
@@ -510,7 +509,7 @@ impl<'f, 'gcx, 'tcx> Coerce<'f, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
         // We only have the latter, so we use an inference variable
         // for the former and let type inference do the rest.
         let origin = TypeVariableOrigin::MiscVariable(self.cause.span);
-        let coerce_target = self.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT, origin);
+        let coerce_target = self.next_ty_var(origin);
         let mut coercion = self.unify_and(coerce_target, target, |target| {
             let unsize = Adjustment {
                 kind: Adjust::Unsize,
diff --git a/src/librustc_typeck/check/dropck.rs b/src/librustc_typeck/check/dropck.rs
index 596381d7ea6..eeaf9e49732 100644
--- a/src/librustc_typeck/check/dropck.rs
+++ b/src/librustc_typeck/check/dropck.rs
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ fn ensure_drop_params_and_item_params_correspond<'a, 'tcx>(
 
         let drop_impl_span = tcx.def_span(drop_impl_did);
         let fresh_impl_substs =
-            infcx.fresh_substs_for_item(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT, drop_impl_span, drop_impl_did);
+            infcx.fresh_substs_for_item(drop_impl_span, drop_impl_did);
         let fresh_impl_self_ty = drop_impl_ty.subst(tcx, fresh_impl_substs);
 
         let cause = &ObligationCause::misc(drop_impl_span, drop_impl_node_id);
diff --git a/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/confirm.rs b/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/confirm.rs
index b777ac30920..a3233c8d865 100644
--- a/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/confirm.rs
+++ b/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/confirm.rs
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> ConfirmContext<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
                 // the process we will unify the transformed-self-type
                 // of the method with the actual type in order to
                 // unify some of these variables.
-                self.fresh_substs_for_item(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT, self.span, trait_def_id)
+                self.fresh_substs_for_item(self.span, trait_def_id)
             }
 
             probe::WhereClausePick(ref poly_trait_ref) => {
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> ConfirmContext<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
             {
                 self.to_ty(ast_ty)
             } else {
-                self.type_var_for_def(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT, self.span, def)
+                self.type_var_for_def(self.span, def)
             }
         })
     }
diff --git a/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/mod.rs b/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/mod.rs
index 1664f46464d..82ac87672cf 100644
--- a/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/mod.rs
+++ b/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/mod.rs
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
             } else if let Some(ref input_types) = opt_input_types {
                 input_types[def.index as usize - 1]
             } else {
-                self.type_var_for_def(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT, span, def)
+                self.type_var_for_def(span, def)
             }
         });
 
diff --git a/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/probe.rs b/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/probe.rs
index 4d344eb2799..b68b6ab28dd 100644
--- a/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/probe.rs
+++ b/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/probe.rs
@@ -729,9 +729,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> ProbeContext<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
             Def::Method(def_id) => {
                 let fty = self.tcx.fn_sig(def_id);
                 self.probe(|_| {
-                    let substs = self.fresh_substs_for_item(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                                                            self.span,
-                                                            method.def_id);
+                    let substs = self.fresh_substs_for_item(self.span, method.def_id);
                     let fty = fty.subst(self.tcx, substs);
                     let (fty, _) = self.replace_late_bound_regions_with_fresh_var(
                         self.span, infer::FnCall, &fty);
@@ -1310,7 +1308,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> ProbeContext<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
                 if i < substs.len() {
                     substs.type_at(i)
                 } else {
-                    self.type_var_for_def(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT, self.span, def)
+                    self.type_var_for_def(self.span, def)
                 }
             });
             xform_fn_sig.subst(self.tcx, substs)
@@ -1327,7 +1325,6 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> ProbeContext<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
                          def_id,
                          |_, _| self.tcx.types.re_erased,
                          |_, _| self.next_ty_var(
-                             ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
                              TypeVariableOrigin::SubstitutionPlaceholder(
                                  self.tcx.def_span(def_id))))
     }
diff --git a/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/suggest.rs b/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/suggest.rs
index 61afac97d64..ed450674768 100644
--- a/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/suggest.rs
+++ b/src/librustc_typeck/check/method/suggest.rs
@@ -54,8 +54,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
                 self.autoderef(span, ty).any(|(ty, _)| {
                     self.probe(|_| {
                         let fn_once_substs = tcx.mk_substs_trait(ty,
-                            &[self.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                                               TypeVariableOrigin::MiscVariable(span))]);
+                            &[self.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::MiscVariable(span))]);
                         let trait_ref = ty::TraitRef::new(fn_once, fn_once_substs);
                         let poly_trait_ref = trait_ref.to_poly_trait_ref();
                         let obligation =
diff --git a/src/librustc_typeck/check/mod.rs b/src/librustc_typeck/check/mod.rs
index 69879bbe85d..84985c2c08b 100644
--- a/src/librustc_typeck/check/mod.rs
+++ b/src/librustc_typeck/check/mod.rs
@@ -362,8 +362,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> Expectation<'tcx> {
     /// hard constraint exists, creates a fresh type variable.
     fn coercion_target_type(self, fcx: &FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx>, span: Span) -> Ty<'tcx> {
         self.only_has_type(fcx)
-            .unwrap_or_else(|| fcx.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                                               TypeVariableOrigin::MiscVariable(span)))
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| fcx.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::MiscVariable(span)))
     }
 }
 
@@ -938,8 +937,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> GatherLocalsVisitor<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
         match ty_opt {
             None => {
                 // infer the variable's type
-                let var_ty = self.fcx.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                                                  TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(span));
+                let var_ty = self.fcx.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(span));
                 self.fcx.locals.borrow_mut().insert(nid, var_ty);
                 var_ty
             }
@@ -1043,8 +1041,7 @@ fn check_fn<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx>(inherited: &'a Inherited<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx>,
     let span = body.value.span;
 
     if body.is_generator && can_be_generator.is_some() {
-        let yield_ty = fcx.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                                       TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(span));
+        let yield_ty = fcx.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(span));
         fcx.require_type_is_sized(yield_ty, span, traits::SizedYieldType);
         fcx.yield_ty = Some(yield_ty);
     }
@@ -1077,8 +1074,7 @@ fn check_fn<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx>(inherited: &'a Inherited<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx>,
     // This ensures that all nested generators appear before the entry of this generator.
     // resolve_generator_interiors relies on this property.
     let gen_ty = if can_be_generator.is_some() && body.is_generator {
-        let witness = fcx.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                                      TypeVariableOrigin::MiscVariable(span));
+        let witness = fcx.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::MiscVariable(span));
         let interior = ty::GeneratorInterior {
             witness,
             movable: can_be_generator.unwrap() == hir::GeneratorMovability::Movable,
@@ -1116,7 +1112,6 @@ fn check_fn<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx>(inherited: &'a Inherited<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx>,
     let mut actual_return_ty = coercion.complete(&fcx);
     if actual_return_ty.is_never() {
         actual_return_ty = fcx.next_diverging_ty_var(
-            ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
             TypeVariableOrigin::DivergingFn(span));
     }
     fcx.demand_suptype(span, ret_ty, actual_return_ty);
@@ -1710,14 +1705,13 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> AstConv<'gcx, 'tcx> for FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
     }
 
     fn ty_infer(&self, span: Span) -> Ty<'tcx> {
-        self.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                         TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(span))
+        self.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(span))
     }
 
     fn ty_infer_for_def(&self,
                         ty_param_def: &ty::TypeParameterDef,
                         span: Span) -> Ty<'tcx> {
-        self.type_var_for_def(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT, span, ty_param_def)
+        self.type_var_for_def(span, ty_param_def)
     }
 
     fn projected_ty_from_poly_trait_ref(&self,
@@ -2342,8 +2336,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
             // If some lookup succeeds, write callee into table and extract index/element
             // type from the method signature.
             // If some lookup succeeded, install method in table
-            let input_ty = self.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                                            TypeVariableOrigin::AutoDeref(base_expr.span));
+            let input_ty = self.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::AutoDeref(base_expr.span));
             let method = self.try_overloaded_place_op(
                 expr.span, self_ty, &[input_ty], needs, PlaceOp::Index);
 
@@ -2782,7 +2775,6 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
             assert!(!self.tables.borrow().adjustments().contains_key(expr.hir_id),
                     "expression with never type wound up being adjusted");
             let adj_ty = self.next_diverging_ty_var(
-                ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
                 TypeVariableOrigin::AdjustmentType(expr.span));
             self.apply_adjustments(expr, vec![Adjustment {
                 kind: Adjust::NeverToAny,
@@ -2860,7 +2852,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
         let ity = self.tcx.type_of(did);
         debug!("impl_self_ty: ity={:?}", ity);
 
-        let substs = self.fresh_substs_for_item(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT, span, did);
+        let substs = self.fresh_substs_for_item(span, did);
         let substd_ty = self.instantiate_type_scheme(span, &substs, &ity);
 
         TypeAndSubsts { substs: substs, ty: substd_ty }
@@ -3993,8 +3985,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
 
               let element_ty = if !args.is_empty() {
                   let coerce_to = uty.unwrap_or_else(
-                      || self.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                                          TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(expr.span)));
+                      || self.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(expr.span)));
                   let mut coerce = CoerceMany::with_coercion_sites(coerce_to, args);
                   assert_eq!(self.diverges.get(), Diverges::Maybe);
                   for e in args {
@@ -4004,8 +3995,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
                   }
                   coerce.complete(self)
               } else {
-                  self.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                                   TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(expr.span))
+                  self.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::TypeInference(expr.span))
               };
               tcx.mk_array(element_ty, args.len() as u64)
           }
@@ -4045,8 +4035,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
                     (uty, uty)
                 }
                 None => {
-                    let t: Ty = self.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                                                 TypeVariableOrigin::MiscVariable(element.span));
+                    let t: Ty = self.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::MiscVariable(element.span));
                     let element_ty = self.check_expr_has_type_or_error(&element, t);
                     (element_ty, t)
                 }
@@ -4825,7 +4814,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
                 // Handle Self first, so we can adjust the index to match the AST.
                 if has_self && i == 0 {
                     return opt_self_ty.unwrap_or_else(|| {
-                        self.type_var_for_def(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT, span, def)
+                        self.type_var_for_def(span, def)
                     });
                 }
                 i -= has_self as usize;
@@ -4858,7 +4847,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
                 // This can also be reached in some error cases:
                 // We prefer to use inference variables instead of
                 // TyError to let type inference recover somewhat.
-                self.type_var_for_def(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT, span, def)
+                self.type_var_for_def(span, def)
             }
         });
 
diff --git a/src/librustc_typeck/check/op.rs b/src/librustc_typeck/check/op.rs
index eae692f4cda..faebb370a6c 100644
--- a/src/librustc_typeck/check/op.rs
+++ b/src/librustc_typeck/check/op.rs
@@ -174,10 +174,8 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
         // trait matching creating lifetime constraints that are too strict.
         // E.g. adding `&'a T` and `&'b T`, given `&'x T: Add<&'x T>`, will result
         // in `&'a T <: &'x T` and `&'b T <: &'x T`, instead of `'a = 'b = 'x`.
-        let lhs_ty = self.check_expr_coercable_to_type_with_needs(
-            lhs_expr,
-            self.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                             TypeVariableOrigin::MiscVariable(lhs_expr.span)),
+        let lhs_ty = self.check_expr_coercable_to_type_with_needs(lhs_expr,
+            self.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::MiscVariable(lhs_expr.span)),
             lhs_needs);
         let lhs_ty = self.resolve_type_vars_with_obligations(lhs_ty);
 
@@ -187,8 +185,7 @@ impl<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> FnCtxt<'a, 'gcx, 'tcx> {
         // using this variable as the expected type, which sometimes lets
         // us do better coercions than we would be able to do otherwise,
         // particularly for things like `String + &String`.
-        let rhs_ty_var = self.next_ty_var(ty::UniverseIndex::ROOT,
-                         TypeVariableOrigin::MiscVariable(rhs_expr.span));
+        let rhs_ty_var = self.next_ty_var(TypeVariableOrigin::MiscVariable(rhs_expr.span));
 
         let result = self.lookup_op_method(lhs_ty, &[rhs_ty_var], Op::Binary(op, is_assign));