[jimmytidey]

So essential - how often would I want the formatting in the obviously completely different context? I used to paste things into the URL bar to remove formatting. I've discovered a colleague does the same.

[dns_snek]

You might want to be careful about pasting anything remotely sensitive into the URL bar as most browser automatically send your query to the search engine for auto-complete functionality.

[TeMPOraL]

My habit on Windows, entirely in the muscle memory after two decades of doing it, is:

- If the text to sanitize is a single line: Win+R, paste, select all, cut, Esc (to close "Run" window)

- If it's multiple lines: Win+R, notepad, Enter, paste, select all, cut, Alt+F4 (to close notepad)

On Linux, I usually switch to Emacs, switch to a scratch buffer, then do the paste-and-cut-again dance in it.

[wizzwizz4]

I never changed my habits from Windows; I use the Run box, or type leafpad / mousepad. It's interesting that we've independently invented the same technique.