The practice of writing in shorthand, using special symbols or abbreviations to transcribe speech rapidly. Also known as shorthand writing, it allows trained practitioners to record spoken words at the speed of normal conversation.
From Greek stenos (narrow, close) + graphein (to write), meaning 'narrow writing' or 'compressed writing.' The term entered English in the 17th century from Medieval Latin stenographia. The 'narrow' refers to the condensed symbols and abbreviated forms that make rapid transcription possible.
Stenography is 'narrow writing' — imagine squeezing all of human speech into tiny, swift symbols! It's the opposite of calligraphy (beautiful writing) but serves the same fundamental purpose as all graphein words: capturing human communication. Court reporters still use stenography today, proving that sometimes the oldest writing methods remain the most efficient.
Stenography became female-coded (1900s-1950s) as a 'secretary' skill, paying women less than male shorthand writers. The professionalization of shorthand as female work segregated it into low-wage categories and created barriers to advancement.
Refer to stenographers neutrally by profession, not gender. Acknowledge historical wage gaps and lack of advancement pathways.
Women stenographers, court reporters, and secretaries provided essential documentation work while being systematically underpaid and invisible; recognize their archival contributions.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.