I often see "cut and paste" used over "copy and paste" in the context of computers and word processing. I also see "cut and paste" and CTRL-C+CTRL-V used interchangeably when CTRL-X is the actual shortcut defined as "cutting" (on Windows).
When cutting and then pasting, the original copy is usually removed and duplicated at a new location – similar to moving the item. However, this usually doesn't work on websites with static text – CTRL-X+CTRL-V has no effect and only CTRL-C+CTRL-Vperforms the intended action of duplicating it elsewhere.
With this obvious difference between "cutting" and "copying", why do people still refer to it as "cutting and pasting" over "copying and pasting"?
Best Answer
"Cut and paste" was used even before computers. So (naturally) it was kept by early computer users. And later computer users followed them.
The Oxford English Dictionary has a "cut and paste" example from 1772.