disk or disc?

whosyourdaddy00 · 25th May 2006

sorry if this is posted in the wrong forum....

ok we're finishing up our product catalog, and we've stumbled on an intresting debate....
when to use the word disc, and disk.

my *uneducated* understanding, is if it's an audio cd, you use the word disc, data is disk...

but nobody here at the studio is quite positive on which one describes the approprate item....

anyone have any input?

my hard disc drive, just dosn't look right to me....remember diskettes?

whosyourdaddy00 · 25th May 2006

hmm, i found this via ask.com...

http://www.engineerguy.com/comm/3739.htm

travisgarrison · 25th May 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by whosyourdaddy00

my *uneducated* understanding, is if it's an audio cd, you use the word disc, data is disk...

That's what I've always understood. I recall reading an article back in the day about the difference, but don't recall the exact reason. I'm not sure I completely agree with the article you posted that the distinction between the two spellings is now invalid, but at least it concurs with what I perceive to be the common usage of the words.

CD = compact disc. I store data on my hard disk.

lefthando · 25th May 2006

Somthing to do with Philips owning the patent on the "Compact Disc".

XSergeantD · 25th May 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisgarrison

I'm not sure I completely agree with the article you posted that the distinction between the two spellings is now invalid, but at least it concurs with what I perceive to be the common usage of the words.

Distinction becomes blurred thru common usage. They are now interchangable. Just as the word mice has been misused for years, it has now become acceptable to call all of your pointing devices mice where as that plural was specifically designated to species use. I mean, shall we now call it a row of hice instead of houses?

jerry123 · 25th May 2006

I've asked my dad this and he recalled hearing something about 'disc' being used in regards to music media, coming from the word disco for some reason.

David R. · 25th May 2006

Let us open this to more diskussion.

Shlomo · 25th May 2006

A compact disc looks like a discus.
But a hard disk resides in a desctop computer. Or is it a disktop?

Diskuss.
And don't be discgruntled.

...as much of a stickler I am for proper spelling and grammar (only for myself--you do what you like), what's considered correct is constantly changing (according to a secret English society that puts out new grammars every year, much to the chagrin of English teachers and students around the world.) But just try reading a passage from Sir Walter Ralegh's "The Discoverie of the Large, Rich and Bewtiful Empyre of Guiana," published in 1596, and you'll see why somebody had to put the smack down.

Point being, things change. If people understand you and no feathers are rumpled, who cares?

"YMMV."

Shlomo · 25th May 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by David R.

Let us open this to more diskussion.

Aw man, you did my pun before I could post. If only I had posted seven minutes earlier instead of seeking out the perfect smilie face!

Cojo · 25th May 2006

Isn't it just the usual European vs American spelling?

Assuming Phillips from Germany spells disk with k and IBM from USA spell disc with c?

/Cojo

max cooper · 26th May 2006

I thought it was to create a 'brand'. If they used the word 'disk', it wouldn't have been their word.

Kind of like Beatles vs beetles.

David R. · 26th May 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shlomo

Aw man, you did my pun before I could post. If only I had posted seven minutes earlier instead of seeking out the perfect smilie face!

Comedy, it's all about the timing.

jbo · 26th May 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cojo

Isn't it just the usual European vs American spelling?

Assuming Phillips from Germany spells disk with k and IBM from USA spell disc with c?

/Cojo

we spell disk with a k in the US.

Jose Mrochek · 26th May 2006

disc looks more elegant.

aussie_techie · 26th May 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by whosyourdaddy00

my understanding, is if it's an audio cd, you use the word disc, data is disk...

thats how i see it as well.
from memory the derivation from disco and a patent on disc is also correct.
the logo on every CD and CD player is spelt with a 'c'
when refering to CD's spell with a c when in doubt about hard disks just call it a hard drive

25th May 2006	#1
whosyourdaddy00 Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Nashville Posts: 209 Thread Starter	disk or disc? sorry if this is posted in the wrong forum.... ok we're finishing up our product catalog, and we've stumbled on an intresting debate.... when to use the word disc, and disk. my uneducated understanding, is if it's an audio cd, you use the word disc, data is disk... but nobody here at the studio is quite positive on which one describes the approprate item.... anyone have any input? my hard disc drive, just dosn't look right to me....remember diskettes?

25th May 2006	#10
Cojo Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden! Posts: 1,471	Isn't it just the usual European vs American spelling? Assuming Phillips from Germany spells disk with k and IBM from USA spell disc with c? /Cojo __________________ Conny Johansson [ www.asteroidkiller.com ]

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lefthando Gear addict Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Kits Beach Posts: 377	Somthing to do with Philips owning the patent on the "Compact Disc".

25th May 2006	#6
jerry123 Gear nut Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 128	I've asked my dad this and he recalled hearing something about 'disc' being used in regards to music media, coming from the word disco for some reason.

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David R. Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: I left my heart, in... Posts: 1,881	Let us open this to more diskussion.

25th May 2006	#8
Shlomo Gear nut Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 85	A compact disc looks like a discus. But a hard disk resides in a desctop computer. Or is it a disktop? Diskuss. And don't be discgruntled. ...as much of a stickler I am for proper spelling and grammar (only for myself--you do what you like), what's considered correct is constantly changing (according to a secret English society that puts out new grammars every year, much to the chagrin of English teachers and students around the world.) But just try reading a passage from Sir Walter Ralegh's "The Discoverie of the Large, Rich and Bewtiful Empyre of Guiana," published in 1596, and you'll see why somebody had to put the smack down. Point being, things change. If people understand you and no feathers are rumpled, who cares? "YMMV."

26th May 2006	#11
max cooper Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2004 Location: tx Posts: 8,802	I thought it was to create a 'brand'. If they used the word 'disk', it wouldn't have been their word. Kind of like Beatles vs beetles.

26th May 2006	#14
Jose Mrochek Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 3,830	disc looks more elegant.