Word list — M
male adapter
Section titled “male adapter”Verdict: avoid
Use plug to name the connector by its function.
- Replacements: plug
man hours
Section titled “man hours”Verdict: avoid
Use a term like staff hours or person hours instead. Person hours can include non-staff members.
- Alternatives: manhours, man-hours
- Replacements: staff hours, person hours
man-in-the-middle (MITM)
Section titled “man-in-the-middle (MITM)”Verdict: avoid
Use a more specific term, such as adversary-in-the-middle attack, on-path attack, interception attack, or relay attack.
- Replacements: on-path attack, interception attack, adversary-in-the-middle attack, relay attack
manmade
Section titled “manmade”Verdict: avoid
Use a term like constructed, artificial, or manufactured instead.
- Alternatives: man made
- Replacements: artificial, manufactured, constructed
manned
Section titled “manned”Verdict: avoid
Use a term like operated, staffed, or crewed instead.
- Replacements: operated, staffed, crewed
manpower
Section titled “manpower”Verdict: avoid
Use a term like staff, workforce, or personnel instead.
- Alternatives: man power, man-power
- Replacements: workforce, staff, personnel
Markdown
Section titled “Markdown”Verdict: style
Capitalize Markdown.
master
Section titled “master”Verdict: restricted
When possible, replace master with a term such as primary or main.
Verdict: restricted
Use may for terms and conditions, disclaimers, and other legal content. For technical content, use can or might.
member function
Section titled “member function”Verdict: restricted
Use method for object-oriented programming, unless the programming language specifically uses member function.
- Replacements: method
MIME type
Section titled “MIME type”Verdict: restricted
Although MIME type is still widely used, media type is the current standards term and applies beyond MIME email. Use MIME type only when referring specifically to MIME or when it is the official term in an API or interface.
mobile
Section titled “mobile”Verdict: restricted
On its own, mobile is ambiguous: it can refer to a phone, a network, or a form factor. Pair it with the noun it modifies to make the meaning clear.
mobile data
Section titled “mobile data”Verdict: acceptable
Use mobile data for cellular data.
mobile device
Section titled “mobile device”Verdict: acceptable
Use mobile device when including more than one type of device that has mobile connectivity.
mobile network
Section titled “mobile network”Verdict: acceptable
Use mobile network for a cellular network.
mobile phone
Section titled “mobile phone”Verdict: acceptable
Use mobile phone for a cellular phone.
mom test
Section titled “mom test”Verdict: avoid
Name the direct test type or usability check instead. For example, beginner test or quick start test is appropriate.
monkey
Section titled “monkey”Verdict: avoid
Don’t use to refer to people. Use a more specific term elsewhere when possible.
monkey test
Section titled “monkey test”Verdict: avoid
Use random testing instead.
- Replacements: random testing