Hi, I remember once learning the word “depress” in third grade in my advanced class as in “to depress a button”. I’ve only ever heard “press a button”, does anyone still use “depress” in the context of to press down on?

  • FinjaminPoach@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    3 days ago

    I think it’s used for when something is kept lowered for a bit - so yes, some buttons, but most notably Jam Lids and Levers. Many buttons spring back up at you so those are just presses or taps

    • FinjaminPoach@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      3 days ago

      See it used for “jam lids” (any jar lid actually, lol) or other packaging because those things can be complex to tell if you’re opening it correctly, so by saying “depress” it tells you to press but then simultaneously describes what happens as it is pressed (it goes down) so you know if you’re getting anywhere in the process. This is why it’s been observed more in technical documents, as rljkeimig notes.