[moomin]

I remember this argument from the 90s where large numbers of people were upset at having to learn the world "Font". What it came down to was, either you use the correct existing term, or you create a new term and end up with constant conflict between the two.

These days everyone knows what a font is.

[Sharlin]

Funnily the word "font" is in fact now used in digital publishing for what is more properly called "typeface". In traditional typesetting "font" refers to one specific size, weight and style of a typeface. That is, Helvetica is a typeface, Helvetica Light Oblique 12pt is a font.

[ghusbands]

The way a word is typically used is its general meaning, even if it has a different meaning in some technical circles.

[Eric_WVGG]

^ this

These days nobody knows what a font is.

[codetrotter]

I only know because a friend of mine studied design at the university.

Seems fine to me, it’s a fun piece of trivia for me that I am happy my friend told me. And at the same time, I don’t feel cheated for not having learned it myself in my education as mine was not in design :p

Also it does open up a neat avenue for designers to troll people if they are feeling mischievous.

Client: “This looks great, but could we try a different font?”

Designer: “Sure thing!”

Designer bumps size from 12pt to 14pt.

Designer: “There you go – different font!” :^)

[rerdavies]

A typeface would also be a font-family