I'd like to propose a slight terminology change for discarding a draft message.
Currently the action is called 'Delete.'
Can we please use the word 'discard' instead. (Discard is used in every other email app I know of and is a more accurate description IMHO)
I don't know how many "other email app(s)" you know, but among two e-mail apps on my Motorola Droid Razr M phone, only Gmail uses "discard". The stock app uses the word "delete".
As for non-mobile (computer-based) e-mail programs, Thunderbird offers: "don't save", and alpine uses the word "cancel". Outlook asks: "Do you want to save your changes? Yes/No"
So, I don't think your statement about universally accepted word "discard" is valid.
(Moreover, in many programs "discard" is used for changes: "discard changes?".)
As for the difference between the meaning of the words "discard and delete", according to Merriam-Webster,
discard: to throw (something) away because it is useless or unwanted.
delete: to remove (something, such as words, pictures, or computer files) from a document, recording, computer, etc.
Even with the help of M-W, I don't see any significant nuance of the word "discard" that would favor it over "delete".
When I decided to discard my draft reply to someone's email, the menu option reads "Delete" - I wasn't sure if the DELETE option was going to discard my draft or DELETE the email/conversation.
You were not
reading someone's e-mail, but rather you were
writing a new e-mail. Why would you think that way?.. And did you have any concerns if that might delete your entire e-mail account?
It is not that I have problem with the word "discard". I just don't see any reason why "delete" is a problem. (Especially, since "delete" is a much more often used term with computers, and is more recognizable internationally then "discard". See, e.g., the key "delete" or "Del" on many keyboards.)
