TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Merriam-Webster still has space bar. But, you're right, compounds tend to come together eventually. The one argument for leaving the space in space bar is, well, the space.
tims
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+timothy -dot- slager=dematic -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+timothy -dot- slager=dematic -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Brian -dot- Henderson -at- mitchell1 -dot- com
Sent: Monday, May 07, 2018 5:34 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Space bar -or- Spacebar
One of the constants of the English language is that hyphens and spaces between commonly linked pairs of words tend to disappear over time. "Space bar" was always headed for "spacebar". Probably futile to fight it.
-B.Henderson
-----Original Message----- From: Gene Kim-Eng
The patent for the earliest QWERTY typewriters and the documentation for
the original IBM PC keyboard (the layout that is still standard today
for most full sized computer keyboards) both use "space bar."