PhrasesHub

What you see is what you get - wysiwyg

    Definitions

      • honesty and transparency
        Describing something or someone as straightforward and not hiding anything

      • simplicity
        Referring to something that is easily understandable or doesn't require further explanation

      • lack of hidden features
        Describing a product or service that doesn't have any hidden or additional features beyond what is already visible

    Examples of What you see is what you get - wysiwyg

    • The new graphic design software claims to be a true wysiwyg application. This means that the final output on the screen will be exactly what is printed or displayed, without any unexpected surprises.

      The idiom "what you see is what you get" (wysiwyg) in the context of software refers to a user interface that allows users to see exactly how the final product will look without any guesswork or hidden formatting. This is in contrast to older software that required users to input complex commands in order to achieve a desired output, leaving room for error and inconsistency. With wysiwyg software, users can be confident that the end result will match the on-screen preview.

    • The new design software claims to be a wysiwyg program, which means you don't have to be a graphic designer to use it. You can see exactly how your design will look once it's finished, without any unexpected surprises.

      In computer terms, "what you see is what you get" (often abbreviated as WYSIWYG) is a feature in some design programs that allows users to see exactly how their document will appear when it is completed and printed, without any hidden formatting or surprises. This is in contrast to some older programs which required users to input special codes or commands to format their document, which could result in unexpected results when the document was printed. The WYSIWYG feature makes design programs more accessible to people without extensive design training or experience.

    • The new word processing software claims to offer a "what you see is what you get" experience, meaning that the document will look exactly the same on the screen as it does when printed.

      The term "wysiwyg" stands for "what you see is what you get," and it refers to a user interface that displays a document or graphic exactly as it will appear when printed or displayed on another device. In other words, you can see the exact layout and design of the document as you work on it, without any hidden coding or formatting surprises. This makes it easier for users to create professional-looking documents and graphics without any specialized technical knowledge.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "What you see is what you get" is often used to convey the idea of honesty and transparency. It is used to describe something or someone as straightforward and not hiding anything. Additionally, it can also be used to refer to something that is easily understandable or doesn't require further explanation. When applied to a product or service, it indicates that there are no hidden or additional features beyond what is already visible.

    Overall, the idiom is used to emphasize simplicity and the absence of hidden features, whether in a person, thing, or situation.

    Origin of "What you see is what you get - wysiwyg"

    The phrase "What you see is what you get" is believed to have originated in the world of computing in the 1970s. It was used to describe a type of software or technology that displayed its content accurately on the screen, without any hidden or unexpected elements. The term "WYSIWYG" (pronounced "wiz-ee-wig") was commonly used in the context of word processing and graphic design software to indicate that the content on the screen would appear the same when printed.

    Over time, the phrase made its way into everyday language to describe situations or people that were similarly straightforward and lacking in hidden complexities. It has since become a widely recognized idiom used to convey the concept of honesty, transparency, and simplicity.