Date   : Mon, 06 Feb 2006 10:10:23 -0000
From   : "David Harper" <dl.harper@...>
Subject: Re: Grammar

Mike Tomlinson <mike@...> wrote:

> No-one's yet commented on the usage of "disc" vs. "disk".  I was taught
> that "disk" was the American English version, "disc" the British English
> version, and that along the same lines of "program/programme", "disk"
> should be used when referring to floppy discs.
>
> Another reason for this usage put to me was that "disk" originally
> referred to 8" floppies, and when the 5.25" variant was introduced, it
> was referred to as a "diskette" (i.e. a smaller version of disk.)
> "discette" doesn't really work in its written or spoken form.

And apparently CD stands for "compact disc" (with a "c" at the end) 
whichever side of the Atlantic you live. Likewise, DVD stands for "digital 
versatile disc" (originally "digital video disc") again with a "c".

According to "Bigelow's Hardware Reference" the PC-industry uses "disk" for 
magnetic media and "disc" for optical media.

Make what you like of these!

David Harper