5

When answering a Question and linking to a related Q&A, or simply an A, I'm never quite sure of what to use:

  1. Check this Q&A
  2. Check this Post
  3. Check this Thread

Probably, this is just a matter of semantics and personal preference, but was wondering if there is any definition, or standard terminology, or a blog post about this. Searching this Meta hasn't brought any insight.

Normally I use 1.
And maybe 2 and 3 are for blogs and forums, respectively.

5
  • 3
    Check this answer or question is what I use; usually with a titled link so it is clear what is being linked to. Jan 7, 2013 at 16:36
  • @MartijnPieters, nice recall, most of the times I use a titled link too.
    – brasofilo
    Jan 7, 2013 at 16:38
  • 3
    When I'm doing support and want the user to look at both the question and the answer, I say "post" as a catchall.
    – Aarthi
    Jan 7, 2013 at 16:40
  • 2
    @Aarthi: The trouble is, at least for a Usenet old-timer like myself, "post" tends to mean the work of an individual and "thread" tends to mean a group of posts using the same subject. Jan 7, 2013 at 16:56
  • 1
    @JonEricson That's legit -- I also will say "page" if I'm feeling a bit more general. :D
    – Aarthi
    Jan 7, 2013 at 17:26

2 Answers 2

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1 and 2 are fine, I usually use "Q&A" if I want them to read both the question and answer(s), "post" if I only link to and care about one answer. Number 3, "thread," is explicitly not what we want. We are not a forum, we don't want threads, just questions and answers. That is why there are a number of suggestions to this effect: the FAQ, the rep requirement to post comments, post flags such as "Not an answer," comment flags (especially "too chatty"), the automatic suggestion to migrate comments to chat, etc.

-5

Might I suggest we coin a new term:

  • quan?

It is the portmanteau of "QUestion&ANswer(s)". The word covers questions with any number of answers including 0. The plural form ("quans") designates multiple questions and not a single question with multiple answers.

It already has (a potentially confusing) meaning in a few languages, but not (yet) in English.

2
  • Wow, Lewis Carroll and a loop! The word "portmanteau" itself is thus a portmanteau. Nice readings, thanks!
    – brasofilo
    Jan 7, 2013 at 17:59
  • Surely this should be quandan (QUestionsANDANswers) or quanan or something..? Jan 7, 2013 at 18:09

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