desktop=top of a desk

[ostap77]

Do you ever say "desktop" meaning top of a desk? Lots of dictionaries define it as a computer related thing.

[Allen165]

Do you ever say "desktop" meaning top of a desk? Lots of dictionaries define it as a computer related thing.

NOT A TEACHER.

I don't think so. A desk doesn't have a top. Assuming that it did, imagine putting something on the bottom of the desk. Where would that be? Under the desk?

[ostap77]

NOT A TEACHER.

I don't think so. A desk doesn't have a top. Assuming that it did, imagine putting something on the bottom of the desk. Where would that be? Under the desk?

So If I say "Wipe the desktop", would you understand it as "You've got to wipe the upper part of a desk" or "You've got to wipe the computer that is on top of a desk"?

[Rover_KE]

The Word Reference dictionary defines desktop 1. the working surface of a desk.

desktop - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

You could certainly wipe that.

Rover

[SoothingDave]

The computer desktop is a metaphor for an actual top of an actual desk. Or a desktop, in simple words.

[allenman]

Yes of course. This is why the computer received the name, it was located on the desktop.

Not a teacher

[Allen165]

The Word Reference dictionary defines desktop 1. the working surface of a desk.

desktop - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

You could certainly wipe that.

Rover

So would you actually say something like, "Put the book on the desktop"? I would just say, "Put the book on the desk."

[ostap77]

So would you actually say something like, "Put the book on the desktop"? I would just say, "Put the book on the desk."

I would like to back you up there by saying ''Yes. I don't get to hear that". Many folks would say wipe the desk. I'm going to type an extraction and I would appreciate it if you said how you understand it.

It's about the western stereotype of Japanese women that fit in the 60s. "

"You've got to come to work 30 minutes before the men show up. Wipe the desktops, clean the ashtrays and serve everyone tea."

It's about one of the first women in Japan who was appointed a senior staff writer. I translated "desktop" into my native language as "computer". We do say things like "desktop publishing", don't we?

[Rover_KE]

I would just say, "Put the book on the desk."

So would I, Jasmin, but that wasn't what the OP was asking about.

Rover

[Allen165]

I would like to back you up there by saying ''Yes. I don't get to hear that". Many folks would say wipe the desk. I'm going to type an extraction and I would appreciate it if you said how you understand it.

It's about the western stereotype of Japanese women that fit in the 60s. "

"You've got to come to work 30 minutes before the men show up. Wipe the desktops, clean the ashtrays and serve everyone tea."

It's about one of the first women in Japan who was appointed a senior staff writer. I translated "desktop" into my native language as "computer". We do say things like "desktop publishing", don't we?

I don't think the desktop in your sentence is a computer desktop; it's just the working surface of a desk.

To wipe a computer desktop would probably mean to move the files on it to the Recycle Bin.