Re: Word-a-Day: screenshot

[Shaun McCance <shaunm gnome org>]

On Thu, 2008-04-03 at 13:00 -0400, Curtis Hovey wrote:
> On Thu, 2008-04-03 at 11:35 -0500, Shaun McCance wrote:
> > Let's start this out with an easy one.
> > 
> > ===========================================================
> > screenshot
> > An image showing the display of the screen or an area
> > of the screen.  One word; do not use 'screen shot' or
> > 'screen-shot'.  Do not use 'screen grab', 'screen capture',
> > or any other term.
> > 
> > Do not use as a verb.  Use 'take a screenshot' instead.
> > Do not use 'screenshoot' or any variant.
> > ===========================================================
> > 
> > This is congruent with the current Style Guide recommendation,
> > as well as with popular usage within our community.  The term
> > has become common enough to warrant usage as a single word.
> > 
> > A number of dictionaries and style guides (including the Apple
> > Publications Style Guide) recommend 'screen shot'.  I think
> > they're fighting a losing battle.
> 
> I was mulling this very term yesterday. I agree with your arguments.
> While I think screencapture is more precise, screenshot is both more
> understandable to users and has fewer letters.

Sure, I think screen capture is more self-explanatory,
all other things being equal.  But screenshot is now
a very common word.  No sense fighting it.  Plus, it
rolls off the tongue nicely.

--
Shaun