How is the word "WhatsApp" spelled in English?

How is the word "WhatsApp" spelled in English - briefly?

The word "WhatsApp" is correctly spelled with a capital "W" and no space between "What" and "s". It should be written as one continuous word: WhatsApp.

How is the word "WhatsApp" spelled in English - in detail?

The word "WhatsApp" is a portmanteau of "what's up," which means it combines the phrase "What's up" with the suffix "-app." This term was created to reflect the application's primary function as a messaging service, implying a quick and casual way to check in with others. The correct spelling in English is "WhatsApp," written as one word with no spaces or hyphens.

In detail, the spelling of "WhatsApp" can be broken down into two parts:

  1. "What's up": This phrase is a common casual greeting in English that translates to asking how someone is doing or what they are up to. It is often written with an apostrophe to indicate the contraction of "what is."
  2. The suffix "-app": In modern digital terminology, this suffix is commonly used to denote a type of application software. When combined with "What's up," it creates a unique and memorable name for a messaging app.

It is important to note that while the spelling may seem unconventional due to its origin as a portmanteau, it has become widely accepted and recognized globally. This acceptance is largely due to the popularity and widespread use of the WhatsApp application itself. Therefore, when referring to this messaging platform, it should always be written as "WhatsApp," adhering to the established spelling conventions in English.